Uttarakhand suspends licence of 14 Patanjali products

The Uttarakhand State Licensing Authority has apologised to the Supreme Court for non-compliance with the top court’s orders against Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali Ayurved in the misleading advertisements case.

The state regulator has suspended the manufacturing licence of 14 products of Patanjali Ayurved for "repeated violations" of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954. These include 'Swasari Gold', 'Swasari Vati, Bronchom', 'Swasari Pravahi', Swasari Avaleh, Mukta Vati Extra Power, Lipidom, Bp Grit, Madhugrit, Madhunashini Vati Extra Power, Livamrit Advance, Livogrit, Eyegrit Gold and Patanjali Drishti Eye Drops among others.

In an affidavit filed on Saturday, the Uttarakhand body stated that it has filed a criminal complaint against Patanjali Ayurved and its founders Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna, for violating the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, reported legal news platform Bar and Bench.

“The SLA has been vigilant in its duties and has taken appropriate steps to ensure due compliance under the said Acts and Rules ... SLA also has a family to look after and therefore any observations made by this Hon’ble Court will have a detrimental effect on his career .... SLA herein is completely aware of the gravity of the situation and seriousness of the matter at hand and has always endeavored to discharge its duties to the best of his capacity and in accordance with law," the affidavit says.

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court refused to accept the apology of Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved managing director Acharya Balkrishna in response to notices asking to show cause as to why contempt of court proceedings should not be started against them for violating the top court’s directive.

The top court’s ruling came following a petition by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), which accused the company of claiming to completely cure sugar and asthma, among other illnesses with yoga.

In March, while hearing a case on alleged misleading advertisement claims by Patanjali Ayurved, a bench of justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah passed an order for the personal appearance of Ramdev in the case, saying he and his associate Acharya Balkrishna, who's Patanjali chairman, were prima facie violating the Sections 3 and 4 of the Drugs and magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.

Last week, Patanjali’s listed fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) brand Patanjali Foods received a show cause notice from the Directorate General of GST Intelligence, Chandigarh Zonal Unit, requiring the company, its officers and authorised signatories to show cause as to why input tax credit amounting to ₹27.46 crore should not be recovered (along with interest), and why penalty should not be imposed.

“As of now the authority has only issued a show cause notice and the Company will be taking all necessary action to defend its case before the authority, hence, expected financial implications cannot be determined till the completion of the proceedings,” the FMCG company said.