Mumbai: The Delhi High Court has directed Patanjali Ayurved to respond to a lawsuit filed by Dabur, alleging that Patanjali’s advertisements disparaged its flagship product, Dabur Chyawanprash. On December 24, Justice Mini Pushkarna issued summons to Patanjali Ayurved and Patanjali Foods Ltd, asking them to file a reply within 30 days.
Dabur’s lawsuit claims that Patanjali’s promotion of its Special Chyawanprash involved “fallacious and deliberate imputations” that defamed Dabur Chyawanprash, which holds a dominant market share of over 60%. The allegations focus on claims made in Patanjali’s advertisements, which Dabur argues falsely position Patanjali’s product as the “original” and “best” Chyawanprash, using a particular Ayurvedic tradition while dismissing other manufacturers, including Dabur, as inferior.
The advertisements in question assert that Patanjali Special Chyawanprash follows the “original method” of preparation, derived from Ayurvedic texts like Charak, Sushrut, Dhanwantari, and Chyawan Sage. Dabur contends that these claims undermine the legitimacy of other Ayurvedic books referenced in the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
In its plea, Dabur has sought a permanent injunction to prevent Patanjali from airing the allegedly defamatory advertisements, citing damage to its goodwill and reputation. The court also issued notice on Dabur’s application for interim relief, with the next hearing scheduled for January 30, 2025.
