New Delhi/IBNS: Acharya Balkrishna, the MD of Indian multinational conglomerate holding company Patanjali, has issued an apology a day after the Supreme Court rapped him and his aide Ramdev for not responding to its contempt notice over misleading advertisements, media reports said.
A Supreme Court bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah have asked Balkrishna and Ramdev to appear before the court on April 2.
In an affidavit filed in the court on Wednesday, Balkrishna offered an unqualified apology and said the company will ensure that such advertisements are not issued in the future.
In its affidavit, Patanjali, as NDTV quoted, stated it now has evidence-based scientific data with clinical research conducted in Ayurveda, which would demonstrate the advances made through scientific research in the context of diseases mentioned in the said schedule.
In light of the same it is humbly submitted that the Deponents only quest is for a better and healthier life for each and every citizen and to reduce the burden on the countries healthcare infrastructure by providing holistic, evidence based solutions for lifestyle related medical complications through the usage of age old traditional approach of Ayurveda and Yoga (sic), the affidavit reads.
Based in Haridwar, Patanjali, which was founded in 2006, manufactures several categories of products ranging from Ayurvedic medicine to cosmetics to personal care to food products.
Founded by Balkrishna and Ramdev, the company ran through innumerable controversies over the years.
Patanjali drug- named putrajeevak- was claimed to cure infertility. Doctors pointed out the misleading drug name which meant sons life.
Some Patanjali stores had also sold the drug claiming it would ensure the birth of a boy.
The Ministry of Defence canteen stores Department (CSD) had suspended Patanjalis Amla Juice after the laboratory report claimed it was unfit for consumption.
The AYUSH Ministry had asked certain states to take actions against Patanjali for its misleading advertisements of products which was claimed as a cure for diabetes, heart and liver diseases.
During the COVID-19 period, the company was embroiled in controversy after it claimed to come up with Coronil, a drug against the virus.
Within hours after it was introduced, the AYUSH Ministry had asked the company to stop selling and advertising the drug.
