Delhi High Court Orders Ramdev to Remove Misleading Coronil Claims

The Delhi High Court has ordered Baba Ramdev and associates to remove misleading claims about Coronil as a COVID-19 cure. The court emphasized potential public health risks and noted discrepancies between the product's approved use and advertised benefits.

The Delhi High Court on Monday issued an interim order directing Baba Ramdev, Acharya Bal Krishan, and others to remove posts and statements claiming that allopathic medicine and doctors were responsible for deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic. The court stressed that allowing the continued promotion of such claims would endanger public health and tarnish the reputation of Ayurveda.

The branding of Patanjali's Coronil tablet implied that it could nullify the coronavirus, essentially suggesting it cures the disease. This could fall under mislabeling and misbranding under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. The court has left it to the appropriate authorities to investigate these aspects, while ordering the removal of claims from social media.

Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani instructed the individuals to take down the misleading statements within three days or risk social media intermediaries removing the content. The interim order follows a lawsuit from doctors' associations challenging Ramdev's claim that Coronil could cure COVID-19, despite being licensed only as an immunity booster.

The lawsuit, supported by multiple medical associations, argues that Ramdev's statements about Coronil lack scientific evidence and misalign with its licensed use. The plaintiffs requested an injunction to prevent further misleading claims, highlighting discrepancies and potential public misinformation.

Ramdev's senior counsel affirmed his commitment to adhere to prior undertakings given in the Supreme Court regarding Patanjali advertisements. The lawyer also indicated willingness to provide a similar undertaking to address the current concerns.

Justice Bhambhani noted that the case involved specific instances of alleged misleading claims and reserved his decision. The lawsuit was filed by doctors' associations from institutions including AIIMS and Union of Resident Doctors of Punjab, asserting that Ramdev's actions undermined public trust in allopathic treatments and COVID-19 vaccines, constituting a misinformation campaign.

(With inputs from agencies.)