Ramdev’s remarks on allopathy: Closure report filed in Chhattisgarh FIR, Supreme Court told

The Supreme Court was informed on Tuesday (September 9, 2025) that the Chhattisgarh Police has filed a closure report in an FIR registered against Baba Ramdev over his remarks on the use of allopathic medicines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta conveyed the development to a Bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and Satish Chandra Sharma. He further remarked that the complaints against the self-styled yoga guru appeared to have been “sponsored” by interested groups.

Senior advocate Siddharth Dave, representing Mr. Ramdev, submitted that while Chhattisgarh had filed its response in line with earlier directions, Bihar was yet to do so. Noting that only a solitary FIR in Bihar remains pending, the Bench observed that Ramdev’s plea for clubbing of multiple FIRs no longer survives.

“Your prayer does not survive now, only one FIR remaining in Bihar,” Justice Sundresh remarked.

However, Mr. Dave expressed apprehension that the proceedings could be revived if the complainant were to file a protest petition, and urged that the status of the Bihar case be ascertained before the matter is finally disposed of. Justice Sundresh assured him that Mr. Ramdev would remain protected from any coercive action.

The Bench then adjourned the matter to the last week of December.

Remarks on allopathy

The complaints filed by the Patna and Raipur chapters of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) had alleged that Mr. Ramdev’s remarks undermined the COVID-19 control mechanism and dissuaded people from availing proper treatment. He had been booked under provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Disaster Management Act, 2005. Sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life), and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) of the IPC were invoked against him.

The yoga guru’s statements had triggered a nationwide debate on Allopathy versus Ayurveda before he withdrew them on May 23, 2021, following a letter from then Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, who described his comments as “inappropriate.” He had earlier also sought a stay on the investigation in connection with the criminal complaints.

The Delhi Medical Association had also sought permission to intervene in the case, alleging that Mr. Ramdev had insulted allopathy and “instigated” people to disregard vaccines and treatment protocols.