Kerala Court Issues Bailable Arrest Warrant Against Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balakrishna
A Kerala court has issued a bailable arrest warrant against Baba Ramdev and his associate, Acharya Balakrishna, in connection with allegations of misleading advertisements for healthcare products marketed by Patanjali Ayurved. The Palakkad District Court issued the warrant on Thursday, marking the first warrant-based summons for Ramdev since the controversy began nearly three years ago.
The warrant stems from a complaint filed by Kerala’s drug regulators, prompted by Kannur-based ophthalmologist Dr. K.V. Babu, who accused Patanjali Ayurved of making exaggerated and unverified claims about its products. The allegations revolve around advertisements promoting certain Patanjali products as cures for serious health conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes. These claims are said to contravene the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, which prohibits advertisements claiming cures for specific illnesses.
According to case records dated January 16, 2025, the Palakkad court noted: “Complainant absent. All accused served. Bailable warrant to all accused.” The warrant follows a series of legal actions initiated by Kerala’s drugs control department in November 2023. Acting on complaints filed by Dr. Babu, the department instructed its offices across the state to pursue legal proceedings against Patanjali Ayurved for allegedly violating the DMR Act.
Dr. Babu initially raised concerns about Patanjali’s advertisements in April 2022, filing complaints with both central and state authorities. Despite the lack of immediate action, he continued to follow up, including a January 2024 complaint addressed to the Prime Minister’s Office. This persistent effort eventually led to the filing of a case by authorities in Uttarakhand, where Patanjali is headquartered. The Haridwar District and Sessions Court began summoning Baba Ramdev and his associates for hearings related to the allegations.
Founded in 2006 by Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balakrishna, Patanjali Ayurved is headquartered in Haridwar and is known for its extensive range of Ayurvedic and FMCG products. The company has faced criticism and scrutiny over its advertising practices on multiple occasions. Despite the recent developments, Patanjali Ayurved has yet to issue an official response to the arrest warrant or the ongoing legal proceedings.
The case highlights the growing focus on the accountability of companies making health-related claims about their products. While the allegations against Patanjali remain under judicial review, the legal proceedings in Kerala and Uttarakhand underscore the need for stringent adherence to advertising regulations in the healthcare sector.