Delhi High Court Orders Patanjali to Withdraw Misleading Ad, Warns of Strict Action
The court said Baba Ramdev’s company cannot call rival Ayurvedic products “fake” or “deceptive,” terming it an unfair trade practice.
New Delhi: Baba Ramdev’s company Patanjali Ayurved has come under judicial scrutiny after the Delhi High Court directed it to immediately withdraw its latest advertisement. The court observed that the ad appeared to damage the reputation of other Ayurvedic Chyawanprash brands, calling it an act of unfair trade practice.
Justice Tejasvi Karia, who was hearing the matter, questioned the company’s use of words like “fraud” or “fake” to describe competitors’ products. “Under what law can you label someone else’s product as ‘deceptive’?” the judge asked.
The court clarified that while a company has every right to promote its own product as superior, it cannot make false or defamatory claims about others.
The case was filed by another Ayurvedic company that accused Patanjali of running misleading ads to discredit rival brands. The petitioner alleged that Patanjali’s advertisements falsely claimed it was the only authentic manufacturer of Ayurvedic Chyawanprash.
The complaint further stated that Patanjali’s ad claimed the product contained 51 herbs, whereas tests found only 47 ingredients. The rival firm also alleged that laboratory tests detected traces of mercury in Patanjali’s Chyawanprash, which could pose health risks, especially to children.
Issuing a stern warning, the Delhi High Court said that any future instance of false or negative advertising by Patanjali would attract strict legal action. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for next week, during which the company has been asked to clarify its stance.
