Legal Nutrition: Zydus Defends COMPLAN’s Reputation at India’s Highest Court

Image Source: Verdictum

Zydus Wellness Ltd. has announced that a Special Leave Petition (SLP) has been moved in the Supreme Court of India against it in connection with a pending legal dispute over its market leader COMPLAN. The company maintains that it has a strong case in law and is well-equipped to defend its position.

The SLP arises from a high-profile case where Zydus Wellness secured an injunction from the Delhi High Court against social media influencer Prashant Desai, who had posted a viral video criticizing COMPLAN’s sugar content. The court ruled that Desai’s statements were misleading, unverified, and damaging, and ordered the video to be taken down. The influencer has now escalated the matter to the Supreme Court, challenging the High Court’s decision.

Case Background

Original Suit: Prashant Desai was sued by Zydus Wellness for disparaging the trademark and defamation over a video that labeled COMPLAN as unhealthy for children.
Delhi HC Ruling: The Delhi High Court came to a decision in favor of Zydus, stating that Desai was not eligible to make such statements about health and had violated advertising and influencer guidelines.
SLP Filed: Desai has now approached the Supreme Court, praying for relief from the High Court's injunction.
Zydus' Stand: The company asserts that it has complied with each FSSAI regulation and the video caused reputational harm on the basis of unsubstantiated claims.

Why It Matters

The case is being watched as one of the first big tests of influencer accountability and brand protection. The case raises tough questions regarding the limits of free speech, especially where it converges with consumer health, online influence, and business reputation. The ruling can be a guide for courts to balance freedom of speech with responsible content generation in an age of social media.

Sources: LawBeat, S.S. Rana & Co., Verdictum, Indian Kanoon, Bar & Bench