The Supreme Court strongly criticized Patanjali Ayurved on Tuesday for disseminating deceptive advertisements that specifically targeted allopathic medicines.

A panel consisting of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Prashant Kumar Mishra cautioned Patanjali, stating that a penalty of Rs 1 crore would be imposed if the company makes false assertions about its products having the ability to "cure" specific diseases.

The court issued a directive to Patanjali Ayurved, instructing the company to cease the publication of any deceptive advertisements going forward. Emphasizing the importance of avoiding casual statements in the press, the court emphasized that Patanjali must take measures to ensure the prevention of such misleading practices.

The court issued this direction while reviewing a petition filed by the Indian Medical Association. The petition alleges that Patanjali's misleading advertisements not only disparage allopathy but also make false claims regarding the cure of specific diseases.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) additionally argues that Patanjali's claims are unverified and directly contravene laws such as the Drugs and Other Magic Remedies Act, 1954, and the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. In response to these concerns, the court has called upon the Central government to present practical recommendations on this matter. The court has scheduled the next hearing for February 5, 2024.