The Supreme Court today came down heavily on Patanjali Ayurved for failing to respond to a contempt notice for issuing misleading advertisements and ordered yoga guru Ramdev to appear before it.
A bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah also summoned Patanjali managing director Acharya Balkrishna.
The Supreme Court last month pulled up Patanjali for prima facie violation of its assurances about its products and statements claiming their medicinal efficacy. The court had issued a notice to Patanjali and Balkrishna, asking why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them.
Read | Supreme Court Warns Ramdev, Patanjali, Tells Them To Stop "Misleading" Ads
It noted today that Patanjali did not file a response even though it had held a press conference after its previous order. "Why haven't you filed your response yet? We will ask the managing director to appear in the court during the next hearing," the court said.
The order states both Ramdev and Balakrishna were prima facie in violation of Sections 3 and 4 of the Drugs and Remedies Act, which deal with misleading ads of medicines.
The court also issued a contempt notice to Ramdev, co-founder of Patanjali, and asked him to explain why he should not face action for contempt of court.
Senior lawyer Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Patanjali Ayurved, opposed the move and sought to know, "How Ramdev comes into the picture?"
Read | "Entire Country Is Being Taken For A Ride": Supreme Court On Patanjali
"You are appearing. We will see on the next date. Enough," the court replied.
"We had our hands tied earlier but not now. As an officer of the court, you (Mr Rohatgi) should know your position," said Justice Amanullah.
The court was hearing a petition by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) alleging a smear campaign by Ramdev against the vaccination drive and modern medicines.
On February 27, it had issued a contempt notice to Patanjali and cautioned them against from making any statements against any system of medicine in the media. It had also pulled up the centre for not taking action and said they were sitting with their eyes closed.
"Medical Seats Should Not Go To Waste When Country Faces Shortage Of Doctors": Supreme Court "Is There A Proposal To Cut More Trees In Aarey?": Top Court Asks Maharashtra Health Of Farmer Leader Fasting For 25 Days Punjab's Responsibility: Top Court Parents On Mumbai Ferry Wanted To Toss Children In Sea. Rescuers Stopped Them Robin Uthappa Faces Arrest Warrant For Alleged Provident Fund Fraud Sanction To Prosecute Arvind Kejriwal? AAP Demands Copy Of Approval Letter UK Flight Attendant Falls From TUI Airways Plane Moments Before Takeoff Top Court Ex Judge Madan Lokur Appointed Head Of UN Internal Justice Council Check Details To Apply For The Aga Khan Foundations International Scholarship Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.