Ex-Supreme Court Judge to Mediate ₹5,000 Crore Dispute Between Lodha Brothers

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has appointed retired Supreme Court judge Justice RV Raveendran to mediate the ongoing ₹5,000 crore trademark dispute between real estate tycoons Abhishek Lodha and Abhinandan Lodha. The decision came after both brothers agreed to mediation during court proceedings on Friday.

Justice Arif Doctor passed the order in response to a trademark suit filed by Macrotech Developers, owned by Abhishek Lodha, against House of Abhinandan Lodha, a firm established by Abhinandan Lodha. The dispute revolves around the continued use of the 'Lodha' name in real estate ventures, allegedly violating a 2017 family settlement.

The Court directed that mediation should initially involve only the two brothers before considering the inclusion of other stakeholders. Justice Doctor stated,

"Initially, the mediation shall be between the two brothers. The mediator, after the first meeting, may issue directions for including all parties if necessary."

The matter is scheduled for its next hearing on March 21, when the Court will review the progress of the mediation and decide on interim relief if needed.

Background of the Dispute

The conflict traces back to 2015, when the Lodha brothers decided to part ways. Under a 2017 family settlement, Abhinandan was to focus on non-real estate businesses, while Macrotech Developers retained rights to real estate operations and the 'Lodha' trademark. Additionally, the agreement included a non-compete clause, barring Abhinandan from engaging in real estate ventures in key markets like the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and Greater London.

Macrotech Developers has alleged that Abhinandan Lodha’s firms have continued using the 'Lodha' name, causing brand confusion and infringing trademark rights. The company is seeking a ₹5,000 crore compensation and a directive preventing further use of the trademark. In response, Abhinandan Lodha’s companies denied any unauthorized use, arguing that their 'House of Abhinandan Lodha' brand is distinct and has been officially registered since 2020.

Court’s Stance on Mediation

The Bombay High Court previously suggested mediation as a means to resolve the dispute amicably, avoiding prolonged litigation. Senior Advocate Darius Khambata, representing Macrotech, initially insisted that all stakeholders be included in the mediation process. However, Justice Doctor emphasized that limiting mediation to just the brothers at first could prevent unnecessary complications.

Legal Representation

• Macrotech Developers (Plaintiff): Senior Advocates Darius Khambata and Sharan Jagtiani, along with Advocates Hiren Kamod, Priyank Kapadia, Rahul Dwarkadas, and team, instructed by Veritas Legal.

• House of Abhinandan Lodha: Senior Advocates Virendra Tulzapurkar and Ravi Kadam, assisted by Advocates Rashi Shah, instructed by Kartikeya & Associates.

• Other Lodha Group Companies: Senior Advocate Venkatesh Dhond and Advocates Ameet Naik, Rohan Kadam, and team, instructed by Anand and Naik.

• Abhinandan Lodha: Senior Advocate Aspi Chinoy and Advocates Karl Tamboly, Rashmikant, Rohan Dakshini, and others, instructed by Rashmikant and Partners.

• Abhishek Lodha: Senior Advocate Janak Dwarkadas and Advocate Suraj Iyer, instructed by Ganesh & Co.

With mediation now underway, the real estate industry keenly awaits a resolution to one of the biggest business disputes in India’s luxury housing sector.