Patanjali MD Moves SC Seeking Action Against IMA Chief For 'Contemptuous' Remarks Against SC
patanjali md moves sc seeking action against ima chief for ‘contemptuous’ remarks against sc
New Delhi: Trying to turn the tables on Indian Medical Association on whose petition SC had initiated action against Patanjali Ayurved, Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna, the MD of the Patanjali Ayurved on Monday filed an application in Supreme Court “seeking judicial notice of the statements made by the President, Indian Medical Association R V Asokan” to the media recently and “initiate appropriate actions in accordance with law” contending that what he said was clear contempt of court.
An SC bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah will hear the application tomorrow. On the last date of hearing itself, Mukul Rohatgi appearing for Patanjali said such irresponsible statements when proceedings are on, matter is subjudice cannot be pardoned.
“We are going to file a contempt petition”, he had said.
Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah had then said : “Ok file it. Bring it on record we will take judicial notice. They will have to face the consequence. This is more serious than what has been happening till now. Let them be prepared for more serious consequences.”
Acharya Balkrishna who happens to be the MD of Patanjali Ayurved said in the application that “deliberate statements are direct interference in the instant proceedings and interferes with the course of justice”.
“The statements are scandalous in nature and is a clear attempt to lower dignity of this Hon’ble Court and majesty of law in the eyes of the public. Coming from a party to the litigation, that too the President
of Indian Medical Association (the Petitioner in the present proceedings), it is clear that it is calculated to achieve an ulterior purpose,” the application said.
“The Applicant humbly states that these allegations are contemptuous in nature and cannot be condoned,” he added.
He urged the court to “pass an order taking judicial notice of the statements made by the President, Indian Medical Association and initiate appropriate actions in accordance with law”.
IMA President’s Remarks
Acharya Balkrishna’s application drew attention of the court to IMA President’s statement that it was “unfortunate” that the supreme court criticised IMA and also the practices of private doctors. The “vague and generalised statements”, he added, “have demoralised private doctors”.
The IMA chief had also purportedly said, “It was unfortunate that the court had criticised IMA
too and also the practice of Private doctors. We sincerely believe they need to look at what was the material before them. They perhaps did not consider that this was not the issue that was before them in the court.”