The Supreme Court on Monday heard the plea of Baba Ramdev seeking a stay on proceedings in multiple FIRs lodged against him in various states over his remarks on allopathy criticizing doctors on their treatment of Covid-19 cases. The bench led by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana, Justice A.S. Bopanna, and Justice Hrishikesh Roy said that they have received the bulky documents and CDs from the petitioner and they require some time for its perusal and adjourned the matter for 1 week.
On the last hearing, the Apex Court has asked Ramdev to produce the original video and transcript over his alleged remarks on allopathy cure for Covid-19. The plea filed by Ramdev seeks a stay on proceedings in multiple FIRs lodged against him in various states over his remarks on allopathy criticizing doctors on their treatment of Covid-19 cases.
During the hearing today, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Ramdev, submitted that he is a proponent of yoga. He also clarified that his client has nothing against the doctors and he is entitled to have a view. There are all kinds of FIRs that have been filed against him all over the country. When he got Coronil, all doctors went against him. He has freedom of speech too, said Rohatgi.
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Justice Hrishikesh Roy: “You haven’t placed the whole thing what he said. What is the original thing? Rohatgi replied that he will file the original video and transcript and asked to list the matter for Monday. Recently a video became viral in which Ramdev alleged, “Allopathy is a stupid and diwaliya science.” Further, in the same video, Ramdev claimed that “lakhs and lakhs of people died because of administering allopathic medicines rather than a shortage of oxygen” amid the Covid-19 crisis. Following Ramdev’s remarks, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) sent him a legal notice asking him to recall his words and to publish a written apology in national newspapers. The IMA also released a press release asking, “Union Health Minister to either accept accusation and dissolve modern medical facility or prosecute him and book him under Epidemic Diseases Act.”
Thereafter, two FIRs were lodged against Ramdev, one in Patna and another in Raipur.
Hence, Ramdev approached the Supreme Court seeking, among other things, the following prayers:-
1. that no FIR further FIR shall be lodged against him with respect to this matter
2. That one of the above-mentioned FIR is quashed and the other one should be transferred to Delhi.
Source ILNS