Patanjali and Ramdev to Cease Misinformation on COVID 19 Treatment: The Delhi High Court has taken a firm stance against the spread of misinformation regarding COVID-19 treatment, particularly by Patanjali Ayurved and its promoters, including the well-known figure Baba Ramdev. In a recent judgment, the court has directed these parties to remove claims from various platforms that falsely accused allopathy and its practitioners of causing numerous deaths during the pandemic while promoting their product, Coronil, as a cure.
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Table of Contents
The Case Overview
The case, titled Resident Doctors Association, AIIMS and Ors v. Ram Kishan Yadav Alias Swami Ramdev and Ors, was brought before Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani. The suit was filed by several medical associations, including the Resident Doctors’ Association of AIIMS, Rishikesh, Patna, and Bhubaneswar, among others. These associations sought legal action against Patanjali Ayurved and its promoters for defamation and public nuisance.
Key Allegations Against Patanjali
The doctors’ associations accused Ramdev and his associates of making several false claims:
1. Allopathy Responsible for Deaths: The defendants allegedly claimed that allopathic doctors were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Misrepresentation of Medical Practice: The defendants reportedly accused allopathic doctors of profiteering and prescribing harmful medicines.
3. Promotion of Coronil as a Cure: The suit argued that Patanjali falsely promoted Coronil as a cure for COVID-19, misleading the public about its efficacy.
The plaintiffs argued that these statements sowed doubt among the public about the safety and effectiveness of allopathic treatments and COVID-19 vaccines, potentially endangering public health.
Court’s Interim Order
Justice Bhambhani passed an interim order requiring the defendants to take down certain tweets and other content within three days. If they fail to comply, the court ordered that social media intermediaries should remove the content.
The court found the defendants’ conduct, particularly Ramdev’s public statements, to be egregious. The judgment emphasized that such statements were made when people were highly vulnerable and could easily be misled by misinformation.
Mislabeling and Public Risk
The judgment also addressed the issue of mislabeling, stating that promoting Coronil as a treatment or cure for COVID-19 is a violation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. The court underscored the risk such misinformation poses not only to public health but also to the reputation of Ayurveda, an ancient and respected system of medicine in India.
The court remarked, “A plain reading of the impugned material shows that the contesting defendants [Ramdev, Balkrishna, and Patanjali] have represented to the public-at-large that the said Tablet [Coronil] is a treatment, medicine, and even cure for COVID-19. Such statements and representations are clearly contrary to, and in flagrant violation of, the statutory approvals, certifications, and licenses issued by the Ministry of AYUSH and/or by the Licensing Authorities, as detailed above.“
Patanjali and Ramdev to Cease Misinformation on COVID 19 Treatment: In Summary
The Delhi High Court’s order against Patanjali and Baba Ramdev sets a precedent for holding individuals and companies accountable for spreading false information, particularly in matters as serious as public health during a pandemic. The court’s firm stance reflects the importance of reliable medical guidance and the legal repercussions of disseminating harmful misinformation.
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