SC appreciates 'marked improvement' in public apology by Ramdev, Balkrishna, Patanjali
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Tuesday appreciated the "marked improvement" in the unconditional public apology published in newspapers by yoga guru Ramdev, his aide Balkrishna and Patanjali Ayurved Ltd in the misleading advertisements case.
A bench of justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah told senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Ramdev, Balkrishna and Patanjali Ayurved Ltd, that language of the apology was adequate and the names were also there in it.
"I don't know the second apology is on whose vetting. There has been marked improvement," Justice Amanullah said, adding, "We appreciate that. Now finally they have understood."
He said earlier when the apology was published, only the company's name was there.
"Now the names have come. It is a marked improvement, we appreciate that," Justice Amanullah observed, adding, "The language is adequate."
During the hearing, the apex court asked the firm's counsel as to why they have e-filed the apology published in newspapers when the court had on April 23 specifically asked that the original has to be filed.
"This is not compliance of our order," Justice Kohli observed.
"There is too much of communication gap Mr Rohatgi... Speaking for myself, I raise my hands now. Too much of an indulgence," Justice Amanullah said.
The bench noted in its order that the firm's lawyer have conceded that there has been some misunderstanding of the orders passed by the court by his briefing counsel and one more opportunity be given to comply with the order by filing the original page of each newspaper in which the public apology has been published.
"The registry is directed to accept the said document when filed," the bench said and posted the matter for hearing on May 7.
Rohatgi sought exemption from personal appearance for Ramdev and Balkrishna for the next date of hearing in the matter.
"The exemption is granted limited to the next date of hearing," the bench said.
The apex court is hearing a plea filed in 2022 by the Indian Medical Association alleging a smear campaign against the Covid vaccination drive and modern systems of medicine.
While hearing the matter on April 23, the top court had said the public apology published in newspapers were not on record and asked those to be filed within two days.
Patanjali Ayurved Ltd had assured the top court on November 21 last year that it will not violate any law, especially those relating to advertising or branding of products manufactured and marketed by it.
It had also assured the bench that "no casual statements claiming medicinal efficacy or against any system of medicine will be released to the media in any form".
The top court had said Patanjali Ayurved Ltd is "bound down to such assurance".
The non-observance of the specific undertaking and subsequent media statements had irked the bench, which later issued notices to show cause why contempt proceedings should be not initiated against them.
On March 19, the top court had directed Ramdev and Balkrishna, who is the managing director of Patanjali Ayurved Ltd, to appear before it after taking exception to the company's failure to respond to the notice issued in the case relating to advertisements of the firm's products and their medicinal efficacy.
The top court had said it deemed it appropriate to issue Ramdev a show cause notice as advertisements issued by Patanjali, which were in the teeth of the undertaking given to the court on November 21, 2023, reflect an endorsement by him.
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Nicholas Pooran, KL Rahul take Lucknow Super Giants to 214/6 against Mumbai Indians in IPL clash
Mumbai, May 17: Nicholas Pooran’s whirlwind 75 covered for skipper KL Rahul’s sedate 55, providing a much-needed impetus to Lucknow Super Giants' impressive total of 214 for 6 against Mumbai Indians in an IPL encounter here on Friday.
Struggling for momentum on what appeared to be a two-paced wicket at the start, LSG could only manage 69 for 3 at the halfway stage but Pooran’s stunning knock made up for another shoddy Powerplay effort by Rahul, who is unable to change his game in the Powerplay.
On their part, Mumbai Indians’ bowling woes persisted with skipper Hardik Pandya using as many as eight different bowling options but none, barring seasoned Piyush Chawla (3/29) and novice Naman Dhir (2/13) could impose themselves.
With Trinidad & Tobago PM Dr Keith Rowley in attendance here at the Wankhede Stadium, Pooran took it upon himself to entertain his country's premier by smashing the MI bowlers to all parts of the ground.
His lofted hits to clear the covers as well as powerful pulls on the leg side were equally compelling until Pooran found Suryakumar Yadav grabbing the ball out of thin air at long on in the 17th over.
By then, the free-flowing West Indian had already notched up his highest score of the season, hammering eight sixes and five fours for 75 off a mere 29 balls.
Pooran’s dismissal followed Rahul’s exit after their 44-ball stand for 109 runs for the fourth wicket, which gave LSG the platform to push for a total exceeding 200.
Pooran’s onslaught also debunked the slowness of the pitch — if there was any as made evident by LSG’s top order — and Rahul’s solidity in tough phases ensured that the visitors did not stumble at any stage in their innings.
The LSG skipper did well to not rush into imposing himself on the game despite his side not able to find their feet for a large part of their innings.
Rahul forged two crucial partnerships, including 48 runs for second wicket with Marcus Stoinis, and put on 55 off 41 balls with three fours and as many sixes.
Ayush Badoni also chipped in with a 10-ball 22, collecting 19 runs off Romario Shepherd in the last over.
LSG were off to a rocky start with Devdutt Padikkal dismissed for a first-ball duck. Nuwan Thushara (3/28) swung the ball back into the left-hander who was pinned in front of the wickets and burned a review.
But there was no such mistake committed by Stoinis, trapped leg-before at the end of the powerplay by Chawla after the Australian stroked his way to 28 off 22 balls with five fours.
Stoinis also used the DRS to perfection when the on-field umpire obliged a passionate appeal for leg-before by Arjun Tendulkar, with the replays confirming that the ball would have passed over the stumps. Tendulkar however was clobbered mercilessly by Pooran and after being hit for back-to-back sixes, the young left-arm seamer was forced to leave the field as he suddenly started suffering from cramps.
