In a significant legal development, a Kerala court has issued a non-bailable warrant against Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna, co-founders of Patanjali Ayurveda, in connection with a criminal case. The court has directed both of them to appear before it on February 15. The warrant was issued after their failure to appear in a case filed by the Kerala Drugs Inspector against Divya Pharmacy, a unit of Patanjali.
According to Live Law, the court’s decision to issue the non-bailable warrant came after both Ramdev and Balkrishna were absent for a previous hearing. The case involves allegations of misleading medical advertisements linked to their company. The Palakkad District Court had previously issued a bailable warrant for their appearance on February 1, but this was not honored, prompting the new directive.
Ongoing Legal Battles for Baba Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurveda
Baba Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurveda continue to face multiple legal challenges across various courts. These cases include issues such as misleading advertisements, trademark violations, and contempt of court. Despite these ongoing lawsuits, both Ramdev and Patanjali have received some relief from the Supreme Court in the past. However, the court has issued a stern warning that if the duo fails to comply with court orders again, they could face imprisonment.
#BREAKING Kerala Court issues non-bailable warrant against Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balakrishna following their non-appearance in the criminal case filed by Kerala Drugs Inspector against Divya Pharmacy over alleged misleading medical ads.
— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) February 2, 2025
Warrant issued to secure their presence… pic.twitter.com/ypqS6N95LR
Major Legal Setbacks for Patanjali Ayurveda
Patanjali Ayurveda has faced several legal hurdles in recent years. In a notable case, the Supreme Court accepted an apology from Baba Ramdev and Patanjali over allegations of misleading advertisements, leading to the closure of a defamation case related to the issue.
However, the company faced a substantial setback when the Bombay High Court imposed a fine of Rs 4 crore on Patanjali, ordering a halt to the sale of its camphor products.
One of the most controversial cases involved Baba Ramdev’s statements about curing Covid-19 and his criticism of modern medicine, which led to a strong backlash from medical professionals. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) accused Ramdev of spreading misinformation, leading to increased scrutiny of his claims.
As these legal proceedings continue, both Baba Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurveda are likely to face more challenges. The February 15 court appearance could be a critical moment in resolving some of these ongoing cases.