Kerala High Court Pause on Baba Ramdev Case Sparks Debate Over ‘Misleading’ Ayurvedic Claims

Summary

• Kerala High Court halts criminal proceedings in the Baba Ramdev misleading ads case, citing prima facie merit over the issue of time limitation.
• Patanjali’s Mukta Vati ad allegedly encouraged self-medication, prompting a drug inspector’s complaint under the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act.
• The case now triggers national scrutiny on how traditional health products are marketed—and whether the law is falling short.

Ayurveda on Trial: How a Kerala Court Stay Exposed India’s Regulatory Grey Zones

In a nation where Ayurveda is heritage, household, and big business all at once, the line between cultural reverence and commercial accountability is becoming increasingly blurred. On April 3, 2025, the Kerala High Court stepped into that grey zone. Justice V.G. Arun granted a three-month stay on criminal proceedings against yoga guru Baba Ramdev, Patanjali Ayurved co-founder Acharya Balkrishna, and their company Divya Pharmacy in a misleading advertisement case.

The allegation? That their product, Mukta Vati Extra Power—a herbal remedy promoted as being “useful in blood pressure (cardiac disorder)”—was misleadingly advertised in violation of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954. The complaint filed by the Palakkad drug inspector argued that the ad, published in September 2023, could induce patients to self-medicate, bypassing medical supervision and risking irreparable health damage.

While the court has not quashed the case, its decision to pause proceedings has reopened a larger debate: how India regulates traditional medicine in a modern consumer ecosystem. And more urgently—are figures like Baba Ramdev being unfairly targeted, or insufficiently scrutinized?

Legal Pause, Cultural Ripple

Justice V.G. Arun’s interim stay order focused squarely on legal procedure in the case of Baba Ramdev. Under Section 3(d) read with Section 7 of the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act, and referencing Section 550 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, the court ruled that taking cognizance of the offence appeared to be outside the permissible time frame.

This technicality, however, doesn’t dismiss the underlying public health implications. The ad in question promoted Mukta Vati as helpful for blood pressure—a regulated medical condition—and was published in a mainstream newspaper. Critics say such messaging risks encouraging people to abandon prescribed medication.

In their defense, Ramdev’s lawyers argued that the product included a standard disclaimer: “to be used under the guidance of a registered medical practitioner.” According to them, this shifts the ad from being a ‘magic remedy’ to a legitimate product listing.

But the Drugs Inspector in Palakkad, who filed the original complaint, asserted that the tone and positioning of the ad were promotional, not just informative. He alleged it could mislead the public into self-diagnosis and unsupervised consumption.

While this particular Baba Ramdev misleading ads case may be stalled, the cultural implications continue to ripple outward. India’s regulatory apparatus—often reactive rather than preventive—may be underestimating the reach and impact of spiritual entrepreneurs in the wellness economy.

Behind the Brand: When Yoga, Business and Law Collide

This isn’t the first time Baba Ramdev has been in legal hot water over his marketing playbook. In fact, the Baba Ramdev misleading ads case echoes similar controversies over Coronil, Patanjali’s much-hyped herbal remedy claimed to combat COVID-19—a claim later walked back under regulatory pressure.

The enduring appeal of Ramdev, however, lies beyond law or logic. To millions, he is both a trusted voice in wellness and a symbol of cultural resurgence. Patanjali isn’t just a company—it’s a nationalistic brand built on ancient wisdom, rural pride, and political endorsement.

But that’s precisely where the problem lies. The marketing of Ayurvedic products under this umbrella often evades the kind of rigorous regulation that pharmaceutical ads endure. In the case of Mukta Vati, for instance, the inclusion of the word “cardiac” is what legally triggered the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act. And yet, similar products crowd the marketplace daily—many without disclaimers.

The larger question is whether Indian law enforcement applies uniform scrutiny, or only acts when high-profile figures like Baba Ramdev dominate headlines. Critics argue that despite frequent violations, Patanjali has continued to enjoy regulatory leniency due to its proximity to power.

In this case, however, the Kerala High Court’s stay provides a temporary shield, but not a permanent resolution. With the state and the Drugs Inspector due to respond by June 30, legal momentum may yet shift again.

The Alternative Health Paradox: Regulation vs Revivalism

India’s alternative health economy is flourishing. With a growing middle class, a wellness-conscious youth, and a government promoting AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy), brands like Patanjali have found fertile ground.

But this growth is outpacing governance.

The Drugs and Magic Remedies Act of 1954, originally intended to protect against miracle cure scams in a pre-independence society, now struggles to regulate mega-corporations leveraging AI-powered advertising, celebrity-backed testimonials, and distribution networks that rival FMCG giants.

Complicating matters further, the BNSS, 2023—India’s restructured criminal law code—has introduced new procedural layers. As legal experts note, unless modern legislation reflects the digital and commercial reality of 2025, courts will remain caught between cultural sentiment and judicial responsibility.

Meanwhile, ordinary consumers remain vulnerable. The Baba Ramdev misleading ads case highlights how quickly public health, product marketing, and regulatory ambiguity can collide.

While defenders of Ayurveda argue that it should not be subjected to Western-style regulation, public health advocates insist that transparency and accountability are not Western—they are universal.

Sacred Claims or Legal Loopholes?

The Kerala High Court’s stay on the criminal proceedings against Baba Ramdev and Patanjali does not exonerate the defendants—it merely pauses the process. But in doing so, it has reignited urgent conversations around medical advertising, traditional knowledge systems, and the role of the judiciary in balancing faith and fact.

India’s wellness revolution is not going away. But neither should legal scrutiny. As courts, consumers, and governments navigate this evolving terrain, one thing is clear: the sanctity of ancient knowledge cannot be used as a shield against modern accountability.

Whether Baba Ramdev’s Mukta Vati ad was criminally misleading is a matter for the courts to decide. But as the public health stakes grow—and consumer belief in ayurvedic cures surges—it is time India treated these cases not just as legal skirmishes, but as wake-up calls for a regulatory overhaul.