Chhattisgarh Police Close Case Against Baba Ramdev Over Remarks on Allopathy
Another FIR against the Yoga guru in Bihar still remains
The Supreme Court was informed that the Chhattisgarh police have filed a closure report in the FIR against yoga guru Baba Ramdev regarding his controversial remarks on allopathic medicines during the COVID-19 pandemic. The FIR stemmed from statements Ramdev made claiming that many people died after taking allopathic medicine for COVID-19, which attracted multiple FIRs across various states.
The Supreme Court Bench of Justices MM Sundresh and Satish Chandra Sharma was told that while the Chhattisgarh proceedings are being dropped, a related FIR filed in Bihar remains pending. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that the FIRs were motivated by vested interests rather than genuine grievances. Ramdev’s counsel expressed concern that the Bihar case could be revived if a protest petition is filed by the complainant.
The Court will hear further arguments in December after receiving the Bihar government’s response. Previously, the Delhi High Court had also restrained Ramdev from making misleading claims about allopathy, and the Supreme Court had criticized him during a petition filed by the Indian Medical Association targeting what they described as a smear campaign against modern medicine and vaccination.
The case highlights ongoing tensions surrounding misinformation during the pandemic and the legal challenges faced by public figures making controversial health claims.