The Bombay High Court has been approached through a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking action against Italian luxury fashion house Prada for allegedly copying the traditional Kolhapuri chappal design without authorisation in its high-end footwear collection.
Filed by six Pune-based lawyers, the PIL alleges that Prada’s recently launched spring/summer ‘toe-ring sandals’—priced at approximately ₹1 lakh per pair—are deceptively similar to the iconic Kolhapuri chappals, a cultural symbol of Maharashtra and a product protected under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act.
“The Kolhapuri chappal is not just footwear but a representation of centuries-old craftsmanship and regional identity,” the plea states, demanding that Prada be permanently restrained from marketing, selling, or exporting the sandals in question without proper attribution or authorisation.
The petition names the Prada Group and multiple Maharashtra government authorities as respondents. It seeks a public apology from Prada, acknowledgment of the use of the Kolhapuri design, and compensation to be paid to the community of Indian artisans who have traditionally crafted these chappals.
According to the PIL, Prada has allegedly “privately accepted” that their design was inspired by Indian artisans but has failed to issue any formal acknowledgment or offer restitution. “The private acknowledgement appears to be merely a superficial attempt to deflect criticism,” the plea asserts.
In addition to a permanent injunction, the petitioners have also requested interim relief in the form of a temporary ban on the marketing and sale of the product and immediate damages to be paid to the artisan community.
The plea urges the court to initiate an inquiry into Prada’s alleged violation of GI rights and take necessary steps to safeguard the intellectual and economic interests of the local artisans whose livelihood and legacy may be at stake.
The matter is expected to come up for hearing in the coming days.
