Patanjali's 'Dhoka' Chyawanprash Ad BANNED! Delhi High Court Rules for Dabur India in Major Legal Win!

The Delhi High Court has issued an interim injunction restraining Patanjali Ayurved Limited and Patanjali Foods Limited from broadcasting or publishing advertisements that describe other Chyawanprash products as "Dhoka" (deception). This significant ruling stems from a lawsuit filed by Dabur India Limited, which contended that Patanjali's commercial unfairly disparaged its flagship Dabur Chyawanprash and the entire segment of similar Ayurvedic formulations.

Justice Tejas Karia, presiding over the case, noted that the advertisement seemed to universally disparage all competing Chyawanprash brands, including Dabur, which holds a substantial market share. The court explicitly stated that labelling all other Chyawanprash as "Dhoka" or deception amounts to commercial disparagement and is not acceptable, even with creative liberty. Patanjali's defense that the ad was mere "puffery and hyperbole" was rejected, as the court recognized that such generic disparagement harms market leaders and constitutes unfair competition. Consequently, Patanjali has been ordered to cease airing the ad and remove it from all digital platforms, including YouTube and Instagram, within 72 hours. The next hearing is scheduled for February 26, 2026.

Impact: This legal victory for Dabur India could bolster its market confidence and potentially influence Patanjali's advertising strategies moving forward. It sets a precedent for fair competition in the FMCG sector regarding comparative advertising and product disparagement. Investors in the consumer goods sector should monitor how these competitive dynamics evolve. Rating: 6/10

Difficult Terms: * **Chyawanprash**: A traditional Ayurvedic herbal jam or paste, known for its health benefits. * **Commercial Disparagement**: An act of damaging the reputation of a business or its products by making false or misleading statements. * **Puffery**: Exaggerated claims made in advertising that are generally considered opinion rather than fact and are not legally actionable. * **Comparative Advertising**: Advertising that compares one brand or product with another. * **Interim Injunction**: A temporary court order issued to prevent irreparable harm to a party before the final determination of a case. * **Prima Facie Case**: A case in which there is enough evidence to proceed to trial, appearing to be true on first impression. * **Ayurvedic Formulations**: Products or preparations based on the ancient Indian system of medicine, Ayurveda.