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Synopsis

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

Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi informed the court about the interview and said, "The president of IMA gave an interview yesterday saying that why is the Supreme Court pointing fingers at us..they have said SC is making vague observations..".

To this the bench took a strong exception. "You bring it on record..we will take action..", Justice Amanullah said.

The bench also comprising Justice Hima Kohli has further directed Patanjali to file one sheet of each newspaper where apology ads have been published by the company. "Just cut the ads and put them as a bunch of documents..", the court ordered directing the Registry to accept it.

Supreme Court has also granted an exemption from personal appearance to Baba Ramdev and its MD Balkrishna only for the next date of hearing on a request made by Senior Advocate Rohatgi.

Court has also come down heavily on the Uttarakhand State Licensing Authority (SLA) over the affidavit submitted by it. The bench expressed its concern over the statements made by the authorities saying that they have acted only due to directions of the court.

"You acting after the orders of the court, you call it being vigilant..we told you to be very careful with what you write..we gave notice to you and if you have not understood, then god help you..you are giving a certificate to yourself..", Justice Amanullah said.

With such views, the SLA authorities has been directed to file better affidavits.

The Uttarakhand State Licensing Authority has earlier told the Supreme Court that it has on April 15 suspended licences for 14 products manufactured by Divya Pharmacy and Patanjali Ayurved Ltd with immediate effect.

The State Licensing Authority headed by Joint Director Mithilesh Kumar filed an affidavit before the apex court also tendering an unconditional and unqualified apology against any inadvertent and unintentional non-compliance with the orders.

'While you point a finger at Patanjali, four fingers are pointing at you', told the Supreme Court had told the Indian Medical Association during the hearing in the Patanjali’s misleading advertisements case last week.

On April 10, the Supreme Court blasted the official authorities of the State of Uttarakhand for not acting over the misleading advertisements being posted by Patanjali since 2018.

The court accordingly directed all officials who held position from 2018 will file replies before the court on what they did in the issue.

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