Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, May 10: The Delhi High Court on Friday closed a defamation case against Yoga guru Ramdev after he assured the court he would refrain from making any further disparaging comments about Hamdard's popular beverage, Rooh Afza.

Justice Amit Bansal ruled in favour of Hamdard National Foundation, citing affidavits filed by Ramdev and Patanjali Foods Ltd as binding. The court noted that the assurances given in the affidavits effectively resolved the matter.

The case stemmed from a lawsuit filed by Hamdard against Ramdev and Patanjali over controversial remarks made during the promotion of Patanjali’s “gulab sharbat.” Hamdard alleged that Ramdev claimed profits from Rooh Afza were being used to build madrasas and mosques, further inflaming tensions by coining the term “sharbat jihad.”

In an earlier hearing on April 22, the court had strongly criticized the remarks, stating they were indefensible and had "shaken its conscience." It ordered the removal of all related content from online platforms and directed Ramdev and Patanjali to file undertakings committing not to make such statements again.

Complying with the court’s direction, Ramdev pledged to take down the objectionable material and assured no repetition of similar comments in the future, leading to the court’s decision to formally close the case.