The Uttarakhand government has suspended manufacturing licenses for 14 products of Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali, citing misleading advertisements. A criminal complaint has also been filed against Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna and Patanjali for violating the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act.

The products whose licences have been suspended are Patanjali Drishti Eye Drop, Swasari Gold, Swasari Vati, Bronchom, Swasari Pravahi, Swasari Avaleh, Mukta Vati Extra Power, Lipidom, Bp Grit, Madhugrit, Madhunashini Vati Extra Power, Livamrit Advance, Livogrit, and Eyegrit Gold.

In the affidavit in the Supreme Court, the state government submitted that its State Licencing Authority has issued a public notice intimating that publication of advertisements contrary to the law would entail strict disciplinary and legal action, including fine, imprisonment, or both.

The affidavit filed by the State Licensing Authority, Ayurvedic and Unani Services, said that it has granted permission on April 12 to the Drug Inspector, Haridwar for filing a complaint against Divya Pharmacy and Patanjali Ayurved Ltd. for repeated violations of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.

This came amidst a hearing in the Supreme Court against Baba Ramdev and Patanjali’s managing director Balkrishna on disobeying court orders that forbade Patanjali Ayurved from running misleading advertisements on health cures. The top court is hearing a 2022 plea by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) alleging a smear campaign against the Covid vaccination drive and modern systems of medicine.

Earlier, Baba Ramdev and Balkrishna, tendered an unconditional and unqualified apology before the Supreme Court over advertisements issued by the Patanjali.