NEW DELHI: Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev and Patanjali's MD Acharya Balkrishna on Tuesday offered before the Supreme Court to tender public apology in a case of misleading advertisements.
A bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah granted them one week's time "to take steps to redeem themselves and show their bona fide" in the case.
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"We have yet not decided whether to accept your apology," the bench said, after interacting with both of them.
The court posted the contempt proceedings for consideration on April 23.
The bench which interacted with Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna, told them they had done good work in popularising Yoga and Ayurveda but they can't criticise other modes of treatments.
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Baba Ramdev and Balkrishna said they tendered unconditional and unqualified apology for their acts and won't commit it in future.
In his submission, Rohatgi offered to make a public apology to show contrition in the matter.
The bench said they have acted in irresponsible manner by criticising other modes of treatment and made advertisements for medicine of incurable diseases which was prohibited under the law.
On April 10, the court had declined to accept their apologies for wilful, and deliberate disobedience of undertaking in relation to misleading advertisements claiming cures for various diseases.
The court had said a message should go to the society at large.
"We are also concerned with all FMCGs who are making people walk the garden path," the bench said.
Hearing a petition filed by Indian Medical Association, the bench had said it was deliberate and wilful acts and they have to suffer consequences.
On April 2, the court had rejected the apology by Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna for having violated the provisions of Section 3 and 4 of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, read with Rule 6 of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Rules, 1955.
Indian Medical Association sought action against Baba Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved for defaming allopathy medicine.
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