A Special Judicial Magistrate court handling CBI cases has officially acquitted Acharya Balkrishna, the managing director of Patanjali Ayurved and a prominent associate of yoga guru Baba Ramdev. The ruling brings an end to a legal battle that spanned 15 years, centered on allegations that Balkrishna had utilized forged documents to obtain a passport.

The case, which originated in the mid-2000s, involved claims that Balkrishna submitted falsified educational and identity documents to immigration authorities. Alongside Balkrishna, the court also acquitted Naresh Chandra Dwivedi, who had been accused of assisting in the procurement of the allegedly forged paperwork. While the CBI had pursued the case for over a decade, the court ultimately found the evidence insufficient to sustain a conviction against either individual.

This acquittal marks a significant legal victory for the Patanjali group, which has faced various regulatory and legal challenges over the years. Neither the CBI nor the defense team has immediately commented on whether they intend to pursue further legal action or appeals regarding the magistrate's decision. The case had previously drawn significant public attention due to the high profile of both Baba Ramdev and the Patanjali brand in India's consumer and wellness markets.