Patanjali Case: SC Rejects IMA Chief’s Affidavit, Hints At Public Apology Like Ramdev

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected Indian Medical Association (IMA) president Dr R V Asokan’s affidavit, seeking apology for disparaging remarks on court proceedings, and hinted at a public apology like Ramdev.

A bench of Justice Hima Kohli and Justice A Amanullah said, “We would have expected more sense of responsibility from you… you can’t vent your feelings against the court in the press like this. What made you go suddenly like this?”

The bench said it was unhappy with his affidavit and questioned why he did not issue a public apology. “Everything was written in black and white, why did you not make amends if you truly wanted to apologise? What did you do to redeem yourself after the interview?” the court asked.

“We are the first ones to uphold the freedom of free speech. But there are times when there should be self-restraint. As IMA President, you should have had self-restraint. That’s the point! We didn’t see that in your interviews,” NDTV reported, quoting Justice Kohli.

When senior Advocate PS Patwalia, appearing for the IMA president, urged the court for relief, Justice Kohli said, “What is sauce for the goose, is sauce for the gander … You can’t say anything and everything and then meekly say he fell in error. Are you saying he fell into some trap?”

The court will hear the case next on July 9.