The petition filed by seven medical associations had alleged that Baba Ramdev had said that allopathy is responsible for causing Covid-19 deaths and that doctors administering allopathy were causing deaths.
Facts of the Petition
A petition was filed before the Delhi High Court by the Resident Doctors Association of all India Institute of Medical Sciences, Association of Resident Doctors, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Resident Doctors Association Lala Lajpat Rai Memorial Medical College, Telangana Junior Doctors Association and Union of Resident Doctors of Punjab against Baba Ramdev for spreading misinformation pertaining to allopathy during the Covid-19 pandemic. Thereafter, the Delhi High Court had asked the petitioners to present before the Court the video that showed Baba Ramdev spreading misinformation as alleged by the petitioners.
Soon after the video which contained Baba Ramdev’s remarks about allopathy went viral, a defamation notice was issued to Baba Ramdev by the Indian Medical Association (IMA). The notice had demanded from him an apology and a compensation of Rs. 1000 crore. Additionally, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan had asked Baba Ramdev to withdraw his statements about allopathy. Furthermore, on 30th June 2021, the Hon’ble Supreme Court had asked Baba Ramdev to place on record his statement on allopathy. However, the advocate appearing on behalf of Baba Ramdev had said that he had merely read out a WhatsApp message that was sent to him.
With respect to the petition that was filed before the Delhi High Court, the matter was listed for hearing on 26th July 2021; however, the Delhi High Court adjourned the hearing of the petition to 30th July 2021.
Arguments before the Court
In the petition, it was contended that Baba Ramdev was spreading misinformation about allopathy. It was stated by the petitioner that Baba Ramdev had said that allopathy was responsible for the Covid-19 deaths and that doctors who were administering allopathy medicines were causing the death of people. It was contended that the misinformation spread by Baba Ramdev was a marketing strategy to increase the sale of the products of Baba Ramdev. The petitioner also highlighted that Coronil which was endorsed as an alternative treatment for Covid-19 is also a product sold by Baba Ramdev.
Court Issues Notice to Baba Ramdev
The Delhi High Court considered the submissions and issued a notice to Baba Ramdev pertaining to his remarks on allopathy and spreading misinformation.
Justice C. Hari Shankar issued a notice to Baba Ramdev and listed the matter for hearing on 10th August 2021.
