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Synopsis

The Supreme Court on Tuesday (August 27) pulled up the Indian Medical Association Chief Dr RV Asokan for publishing an illegible and miniscule apology over its comments made about the supreme court. 

A bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Sandeep Mehta objected to the size of the apology ads published has directed senior advocate PS Patwalia, appearing for Asokan, to file physical copies of 20 editions of The Hindu newspaper, where his apology was published, within one week.

“What is the size? Who can read this? It is less than 0.10 cm,” a miffed bench said.

Earlier Indian Medical Association had informed the Supreme Court that it has issued a public apology over its website and monthly journal.

This happened after the Supreme Court of India was informed about the interview given by the President of Indian Medical Association critiquing the orders of the court relating to Patanjali's misleading advertisements.

'While you point a finger at Patanjali, four fingers are pointing at you', Supreme Court had earlier told Indian Medical Association while hearing its plea against Patanjali.

Indian Medical Association (IMA) had filed the instant plea alleging a smear campaign by Ramdev Baba and his company against the COVID-19 vaccination and modern medicine.

Central government has also been questioned by the court for not tackling these misleading advertisements despite the present petition having been filed way back in 2022.

Yesterday, top court went on to stay a notification issued by the Ministry of Ayush, which omitted Rule 170 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 that prohibits misleading advertisements of Ayurvedic, Siddha, and Unani drugs.

Case Title: Indian Medical Association & Anr vs. Union of India & Ors