"Not Covered With Glory": Supreme Court Pulls Up Indian Medical Association In Patanjali Case, Warns Of Consequences

The Supreme Court on Tuesday (30 April) warned the Indian Medical Association (IMA) for its president's remarks criticising the apex court's comments on IMA's "unethical conduct".

Last week, the bench of Justice Hima Kohli and Justice Ahsanuddin Amanulla asked IMA to "put its house in order" by acknowledging complaints of alleged unethical conduct by IMA doctors.

In response, IMA president R V Asokan had expressed in an interview with PTI that these remarks are "unfortunate" and said, "It does not behoove the Supreme Court to take a broadside against the medical profession of the country."

Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Patanjali Ayurved, flagged these remarks during the contempt case hearing, after which the court asked them to bring on record.

"This will be more serious than what has been happening till now. Be prepared for more serious consequences. You have not covered yourself with glory and how can you decide what the court will do, if this is correct," the bench said.

The court also noted that there is a "marked improvement" in Patanjali's apology as it now also includes the name of its co-founder Ramdev and appreciated this gesture.

It expressed dissatisfaction with the Uttarakhand State Licensing Authority for taking action only after the top court's 10 April order. The manufacturing licences for 14 Patanjali products were suspended.