Supreme Court warns Patanjali: Second apology rejected, prepare for consequences
PTC News Desk: Today, the Supreme Court delivered a firm response to another set of apologies submitted by Patanjali founders Ramdev and Balkrishna regarding the company's misleading advertisements. The court's stance emphasised a refusal to be lenient in the face of what it perceives as deliberate violations.
Justices Hima Kohli and A. Amanullah, presiding over the bench, expressed dissatisfaction with the apologies, labelling them as mere paper formalities. Highlighting their skepticism, the bench remarked that the apologies seemed to have been drafted as a last resort, with little genuine remorse evident.
They underscored their rejection of the apologies, emphasising a perceived deliberate violation of the undertaking previously given. Justice Kohli specifically pointed out the founders' tendency to prioritise media attention over court proceedings, noting that the apologies were initially shared with the media before being presented to the court.
Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the Patanjali founders, defended the apologies, asserting that they had been duly served. However, as he presented the affidavits to the court, Justice Amanullah expressed astonishment at their content, accusing them of being deceitful and poorly drafted. Rohatgi acknowledged a "lapse" in the drafting process but was met with skepticism from the court, which deemed the term inadequate in describing the seriousness of the situation.
The exchange in court underscores the gravity of the issue and the court's unwavering stance against what it perceives as attempts to circumvent accountability. As the legal proceedings unfold, it remains to be seen what actions the court will take in response to Patanjali's misleading advertisements and the subsequent apologies deemed unsatisfactory.
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- With inputs from agencies
