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The Supreme Court, on Tuesday, expressed dissatisfaction with Dr. RV Asokan’s apology, the President of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), for his comments made in a media interview regarding certain court observations. Dr. Asokan appeared before the Court following a notice issued on an application filed by Patanjali Ayurved seeking contempt action.
Court’s Disappointment with Apology:
Despite Dr. Asokan’s unconditional apology, the bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah expressed disappointment with his conduct. Justice Kohli expected a greater sense of responsibility from Dr. Asokan, considering his experience. Justice Amanullah likened Dr. Asokan’s actions to those of Patanjali’s founders, deeming his conduct “unfortunate.”
Comparison with Patanjali’s Apology:
The Court compared Dr. Asokan’s apology to Patanjali’s previous apology, which was discarded for breaching an undertaking. Justice Kohli emphasized the seriousness of Dr. Asokan’s conduct, especially given the ongoing legal proceedings.
Questioning the Genuineness of the Apology:
The genuineness of Dr. Asokan’s apology was questioned by the bench, particularly regarding the timing of the public apology. Despite efforts by Dr. Asokan’s counsel to persuade the Court, the bench remained disinclined to accept the apology at this stage.
Concerns Raised by the Bench:
Justice Kohli questioned the interviewer’s motives and highlighted concerns about Dr. Asokan’s comments on ongoing legal proceedings. The bench also acknowledged the interviewer’s motive for generating higher viewership.
The developments occurred within the context of a case filed by the IMA against Patanjali Ayurved for allegedly misleading claims and disparaging advertisements against the allopathic system of medicine. Contempt proceedings were initiated against Patanjali Ayurved, Baba Ramdev, and Acharya Balkrishna for continuing to publish misleading medical advertisements in breach of a court undertaking.
The Court’s focus on the IMA’s internal disciplinary actions led to Dr. Asokan’s press interview, prompting Patanjali to file a contempt application against him. Last week, the Court issued a notice on that application to Dr. Asokan.
Case Title: Indian Medical Association v. Union of India | W.P.(C) No. 645/2022