Winning Bizness Desk

Mumbai. The Delhi High Court has ordered Patanjali Ayurved to withdraw its controversial advertisement for “Patanjali Special Chyawanprash” within 72 hours. The court ruled that the ad unfairly discredited rival brands, particularly Dabur, by labeling other products as “deceptive.” The decision followed a complaint by Dabur India, the market leader in the chyawanprash segment, alleging that the ad misled consumers and harmed the reputation of other brands. The interim order was passed by Justice Tejas Karia on November 6 and officially pronounced later, imposing a ban valid until February 2026.

Court Slams Misleading Comparison in Advertisement

The court observed that while comparative advertising is permissible, Patanjali’s ad went beyond fair comparison and created a misleading impression that competing products were fake or inferior. It noted that the visuals and dialogues used in the ad could make viewers believe that other chyawanprash brands were fraudulent. The bench directed Patanjali to remove or block the advertisement from all media platforms, including television, digital channels, print media, and social media handles such as YouTube and Instagram.

Ad Features Baba Ramdev’s ‘Deception’ Remark

The advertisement in question featured Baba Ramdev saying that “most people are being deceived in the name of chyawanprash,” while using catchy phrases like “Chalo, dhoka khao!” (“Come, get deceived!”). The court found such remarks to be a clear attempt to degrade rival brands and questioned the ethical basis of the marketing approach. Since Dabur’s chyawanprash dominates nearly 60 percent of the market, the company argued that the ad not only damaged its brand image but also cast doubt on the entire chyawanprash category.

Ongoing Rivalry Between Dabur and Patanjali

This legal dispute is not the first between Dabur and Patanjali. Earlier in July, the court had issued a similar order against Patanjali after Dabur complained that another advertisement called its chyawanprash “ordinary” and “untraditional.” Patanjali’s campaign had suggested that companies without knowledge of Ayurveda or Vedic traditions could not produce authentic chyawanprash. Dabur contended that such messaging aimed to undermine its credibility and mislead consumers about the authenticity of its products.

Future Proceedings and Industry Implications

The next hearing is scheduled for February 26, 2026, when the matter will be examined in detail for a permanent ruling. Legal experts believe this case could set an important precedent for India’s advertising industry, emphasizing responsible competition and truthful marketing. Dabur has welcomed the order, while Patanjali is expected to challenge it. Market analysts suggest that this controversy may temporarily affect consumer confidence in chyawanprash products and prompt brands to rethink their promotional strategies.

Ramdev’s History with Misleading Advertisement Cases

This is not the first time Baba Ramdev and Patanjali have faced judicial scrutiny over misleading advertisements. In 2022, the Indian Medical Association filed a petition in the Supreme Court accusing Patanjali of making false claims about curing COVID-19 and other diseases. Despite repeated warnings, the company continued its advertisements, prompting the Supreme Court in 2023 and early 2024 to reprimand Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna. Both later issued an apology in 2025, leading to the case’s closure.

Summary Pointers:

• Delhi High Court ordered Patanjali to remove its chyawanprash ad within 72 hours.
• The ad allegedly portrayed rival products, including Dabur, as “deceptive.”
• Court said comparative ads are fine but degrading others is not allowed.
• The ban applies across all media platforms until February 2026.
• Dabur, holding 60% of the market, called it a case of commercial disparagement.
• The next court hearing is set for February 26, 2026.
• Ramdev has faced past cases for misleading health-related advertisements.