Chhattisgarh Police Files Closure Report In FIR Against Swami Ram Dev Over Anti-Allopathy Remarks During COVID

The Supreme Court was informed today that Chhattisgarh authorities have filed a closure report in relation to an FIR lodged against yoga guru and Patanjali Ayurved founder Swami Ram Dev over his remarks against allopathic medicines at the time of Covid-19 pandemic.

The matter was before a bench of Justices MM Sundresh and Satish Chandra Sharma, which was informed of the development by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta. Senior Advocate Siddharth Dave appeared for Ram Dev and requested that the statement may be recorded in the order.

The bench did not do so and was of the view that Ram Dev's prayer for clubbing of FIRs does not survive, as only one FIR at Bihar remains pending. However, Dave conveyed an apprehension that proceedings may get reopened if the complainant prefers a protest petition and therefore, status of Bihar FIR may be ascertained before disposing of the matter.

Notably, the SG commented that the FIRs (one in Bihar and another in Chhattisgarh) were "obviously" lodged by "sponsored" persons. The bench ultimately adjourned the matter.

Background

The current controversy is over Ram Dev's remarks on 'allopathy', which is a term commonly used to refer to modern or mainstream medicine. Ram Dev is the founder of Patanjali Yogpeeth, an institution focused on yoga and Ayurveda research. At the time of the Covid-19 pandemic, he criticized doctors for the treatment methods adopted in a video that subsequently went viral. In the clip, the yoga guru was heard claiming that lakhs of people have died after taking 'allopathic' medicines for COVID-19.

Although Ram Dev later reportedly withdrew his statement, his controversial remarks led to multiple criminal proceedings being initiated. Alleging that these were driven by personal and political interests, the yoga guru approached the Supreme Court seeking quashing/clubbing of FIRs and protection against coercive actions.

In August, 2022, the Supreme Court pulled up Ram Dev for his comments disparaging modern medical systems, while hearing a petition filed by the Indian Medical Association, seeking measures to counteract what they referred to as a 'smear campaign' and negative advertisements against COVID-19 vaccinations and modern medicine. Earlier that month, the Delhi High Court also asked the yoga guru to refrain from making misleading claims about allopathy during the hearing of a suit filed by several doctors' associations alleging that Ram Dev had spread misinformation about COVID-19 treatment through his statements.

Notice was issued on the present petition in October, 2023.

Case Title: Swami Ram Dev v. Union of India & Ors. | Writ Petition (Criminal) No. 265 of 2021 

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