Lodha trademark breach case: Bombay High Court appoints former Supreme Court judge R.V. Raveendran as mediator

A view of the Bombay High Court. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

Bombay High Court appointed former Supreme Court judge RV. Raveendran as the mediator between the Lodha brothers to resolve the trademark breach case on January 31, 2025. The choice on the mediator was arrived at based on the consensus between the petitioner and the respondent. The mediation is expected to take in three to four weeks.

The court said the mediation will be between the two brothers and if the mediator deems fit he shall bring in all other parties. “Let the initial mediation commence between the two brothers…Let the mediator have a first sitting with these two brothers and then, if he deems it fit, he can issue directions for the inclusion of all parties to the suit,” said Justice Arif Doctor.

In the first hearing held last week, the judge said the genesis of the dispute was between the two brothers and a resolution between the two could settle the matter and had asked if the plaintiffs and the defendants were agreeable to a mediation. The matter will be heard next on March 21, 2025.

Both Abhishek and Abhinandan Lodha welcomed the court’s order for mediation. “I am agreeable to go through the mediation process recommended by Honourable Justice Arif Doctor. Abhinandan is my younger brother and have lot of love for him. I have always supported him in whatever manner possible and wished for his success. I hope this mediation process helps us reconcile the differences,” said Abhishek Lodha, CEO of Macrotech Developers.

“We are grateful to the Mumbai high court and honourable Justice Arif doctor for guiding us towards the mediation. We hope it will bring closure to issues which are now pending for almost 10 years” said Abhinandan Lodha, Chairperson of House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL), welcoming the court’s decision.

Macrotech Developers’ CEO Abhishek Lodha dragged his brother and Chairperson of HoABL Abhinandan Lodha to court demanding ₹5,000 crore for breach of the trademarked brand name Lodha. The brand was retained by Mr.Abhishek according to a family settlement agreement in 2017. The petitioner alleged Mr.Abhinandan and HoABL of continuing to use the name despite agreeing to refrain from the same in the agreement. HoABL, however, maintained that the suit was filed as Macrotech could not digest their success.