The Judicial First Class Magistrate Court – II in Palakkad has issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against yoga guru Baba Ramdev, his aide Acharya Balkrishna, and Divya Pharmacy, the marketing arm of Patanjali Ayurved. The warrant was issued in connection with a case related to misleading advertisements, following a petition filed by the Drugs Inspector, Palakkad, in October 2024, as per a report by the Indian Express.
The legal action stems from allegations that Patanjali Ayurved made false claims in media advertisements, asserting that its products could cure high blood pressure and diabetes. The case falls under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.
The court had initially issued a summons for Ramdev and the others to appear on January 16, but they failed to do so. Subsequently, a bailable warrant was issued, instructing them to appear on February 1. Their continued absence prompted the court to escalate the matter, leading to the issuance of a non-bailable warrant.
The next hearing in the case has been scheduled for February 15.
Meanwhile, legal troubles for Baba Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved continue to mount. Similar cases related to misleading advertisements are pending in Kozhikode and Haridwar, with multiple summons issued. According to sources from the Drugs Department, 12 cases have been registered in Kerala alone against Baba Ramdev, Acharya Balkrishna, and Divya Pharmacy.
The controversy surrounding Patanjali Ayurved’s alleged unverified medical claims has led to legal proceedings in multiple locations, intensifying scrutiny over the company’s advertising practices.
