Ramdev’s Plea to Club FIRs Over Allopathy Remarks Irrelevant After Chhattisgarh Case Closed, Says SC

The Bench of Justice M.M. Sundresh and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma was informed that out of the two FIRs in question, one registered in Chhattisgarh had already been closed, while the only surviving case was pending before a court in Patna, Bihar.

Senior Advocate Siddharth Dave appearing for Ramdev submitted that, in line with the Court’s previous directions, the State of Chhattisgarh had filed its response while Bihar was yet to do so.

Counsel for Bihar, however, pointed out that the complainant in the Patna case had not been appearing before the local court.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Union of India, clarified that the Chhattisgarh police had already filed a closure report and only the Bihar FIR remained. He also alleged that the complaints appeared to be “sponsored by some interested groups.”

Taking note of these submissions, Justice Sundresh observed, “What is the need to club now? They say Chhattisgarh has been closed. The FIR is now only in Patna, Bihar. Your prayer does not survive.”

Despite Dave’s request that his submissions be formally recorded; arguing that the Chhattisgarh complaint could potentially be revived, the Bench declined, with Justice Sundresh remarking, “Why? Unnecessary, why?”

At the same time, the Court assured Ramdev that interim protection granted earlier would continue. “We will continue the protection, that is not a problem,” Justice Sundresh said.

Concluding the hearing, the Bench directed that the matter be taken up again in the commencing from December 15, by which time the State of Bihar is expected to file its formal response.

On June 17, 2021 the Chhattisgarh police had registered an FIR against Baba Ramdev basis a complaint lodged by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), for allegedly spreading ‘false information’ about allopathic medicines used for the treatment of Covid-19.

IMA members Dr Rakesh Gupta, Dr Vikas Agrawal, Dr Asha Jain and others filed the complaint at Civil Lines police station against Baba Ramdev, accusing him of publishing misleading and threatening remarks on social media.

The doctors claimed that Ramdev’s statement was misleading and was an attempt to put peoples’ lives at risk.

It was also alleged that from tarnishing the reputation of medicos, Ramdev had “questioned the efficacy of vaccination”.

Baba Ramdev has been booked under Sections 188, 269, 504 of the IPC and provisions of Disaster Management Act, 2005. Stay has been sought on the proceedings in FIRs lodged by Indian Medical Association (IMA) in Patna and Raipur and has prayed for a transfer of the FIRs to Delhi.