The Supreme Court has turned its attention to the status of criminal cases against Baba Ramdev in Bihar and Chhattisgarh, seeking clarity on the proceedings since 2021. These cases stem from Ramdev’s controversial remarks regarding allopathic treatment for Covid-19, which sparked legal actions by the Bihar and Chhattisgarh units of the Indian Medical Association (IMA).
Ramdev had petitioned the Supreme Court to consolidate these cases and move the trial to Delhi. The court, while considering his plea for clubbing the cases, emphasized the importance of understanding the current status of these legal matters. The bench of justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale highlighted that charge sheets would typically have been filed by now in such cases, necessitating a comprehensive update for proper consideration.
Representatives from the IMA were present in court, with the bench directing the inclusion of its two state units as parties to Ramdev’s petition. However, IMA, through an affidavit, opposed the consolidation of cases, citing ongoing proceedings related to alleged contempt against Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved for violating a court undertaking regarding misleading advertisements.
Senior advocate Siddharth Dave, appearing for Ramdev, objected to IMA’s stance, while Solicitor-general Tushar Mehta, representing the Union government, expressed reservations about IMA’s involvement, highlighting their opposition to Ayurveda.
Advocate Prabhas Bajaj, representing IMA, emphasized the autonomy of its state units and their right to be heard in such matters. He noted that IMA’s participation in this case stemmed from being named as a party and receiving a notice in October 2023.
The charges against Ramdev under the Indian Penal Code include intentional insult, negligent acts likely to spread infection, disobedience to public servant orders, and violations under the Disaster Management Act. These charges were filed following Ramdev’s video advising against allopathy for Covid-19 treatment in May 2021, which drew a defamation notice from IMA.
Sources By Agencies
