Deepali Kalia-
On 30th June a Bench consisting of Chief Justice NV Ramana, Justices Hrishikesh Roy and AS Bopanna of the Supreme Court asked Baba Ramdev, yoga guru, to produce before it video and transcripts of what he actually said with regard to allopathy not being able to cure COVID-19.
“You haven’t placed the whole thing, what he said. What is the original thing you said?”, the Bench asked Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who was appearing on behalf of Ramdev.
The Bench was hearing a writ petition filed by Ramdev under article 32 of the Constitution, which sought consolidation and clubbing of the FIRs that have been filed against him in various states and their transfer to Delhi.
Ramdev also sought as an interim relief a stay on the investigation in these FIRs.
The FIRs which state offences under Section 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), Section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), Section 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and other provisions of Disaster Management Act 2005 were registered on the basis of the complaints filed by Indian Medical Association in States of Chhattisgarh and Bihar.
The Indian Medical Association had filed complaints against the yoga guru stating that his frivolous remarks can lead to people not availing proper treatment for COVID 19 in the midst of pandemic as he as a very well-known public figure possesses the power to influence many people.
The bench has adjourned the hearing in the case to July 5th.
