The Delhi High Court has intervened in the ongoing trademark infringement dispute involving the iconic ‘MOTI MAHAL’ brand. Justice Mini Pushkarna granted interim relief to Rupa Gujral, daughter of the late Mr. Kundan Lal Gujral who is credited with creating the legendary dishes of tandoori chicken, butter chicken, and dal makhani, by issuing a restraining order against the unauthorized use of the ‘MOTI MAHAL’ trademark.
In her ruling, Justice Pushkarna directed the defendants to halt all advertising, selling, and promotion of any business under the ‘MOTI MAHAL’ name until the matter is fully resolved. The comprehensive order prohibits any infringing activities, including the use of the trademark or any part of it that could be seen as passing off the plaintiffs’ long-established and well-recognized brand.
The legal action was prompted by the plaintiffs’ discovery in early May 2024 of the defendants’ use of the identical ‘MOTI MAHAL’ mark on their website and social media platforms, where they falsely claimed a historical association with the brand established in 1947. Despite selling their shares in the original Darya Ganj restaurant, the plaintiffs maintain they retained the exclusive rights to the ‘MOTI MAHAL’ trademark and its associated goodwill.
The suit further accuses the defendants of maliciously attempting to exploit the extensive goodwill associated with Mr. Gujral, internationally renowned as the pioneer of several iconic dishes. The defendants are also alleged to have sought to register trademarks similar to ‘MOTI MAHAL’ without the plaintiffs’ consent and referred to previous High Court orders restraining other parties from using similar marks.
