The Uttarakhand State Licensing Authority has expressed regret to the Supreme Court for its inadequate response regarding Patanjali Ayurved's misleading advertisements targeting evidence-based medicine.

Through an affidavit submitted by Advocate Vanshaja Shukla on Saturday, the Uttarakhand authority declared that it has lodged a criminal complaint against Patanjali Ayurved, along with its founders Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna, for contravening the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act.

The affidavit was submitted in reaction to a petition filed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) regarding an alleged defamatory campaign conducted by Patanjali and its founders, Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna, against the COVID-19 vaccination initiative and modern medicine.

Previously, the Supreme Court had criticized the Uttarakhand government and its licensing body for their perceived collusion with negligent licensing officers who did not take action against Patanjali Ayurved.

The affidavit stated that the body will persist in taking all necessary measures against Patanjali Ayurved Limited.

Additionally, it mentioned that the manufacturing licenses for 14 of Patanjali's products have been promptly suspended under Rule 159(1) of The Drugs and Cosmetics Rules.

The body also informed the Union AYUSH Ministry about the actions taken against the Indian multinational company on April 24. In November 2023, the Supreme Court warned of imposing fines of ₹1 crore per false claim made in each advertisement asserting that Patanjali products could cure diseases.

Following this, the top court instructed Patanjali to refrain from publishing false advertisements in the future. Subsequently, the Court imposed a temporary ban on such advertisements and issued contempt of court notices to the company and Balkrishna when Patanjali did not cease the publication of such ads. In response, the duo submitted apology affidavits before the top court.

Initially, the Court expressed dissatisfaction with the casual apology affidavits submitted by Patanjali Ayurved, Ramdev, and Balkrishna, remarking that the apologies appeared to be mere lip service.