Delhi High Court suspends website ‘khadi organic’ claiming to deliver Ram Mandir Prasad for free
Last Updated on January 23, 2024 by News Desk
Recently Delhi High Court issued an order suspending the website of ‘Khadi Organic’ which claims to deliver the Ram mandir prasad for free following the Pran Pratishtha of the temple.
The court was hearing a lawsuit filed by Khadi and Village Industries Commission, the registered proprietor of the trademarks ‘Khadi’ and ‘Khadi India against the the website.
The commission asserted that ‘Khadi Organic’ was deceiving people by creating a false association with the commission’s trademarks and depicting itself as the “official website for the sale of Ayodhya Ram Mandir Prasad”. it also claimed that the website is portraying itself in affiliation with the Shri Rambhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, the organizing body of the consecration ceremony.
The commission brought it to notice that though the website claimed to deliver the prasad for free, it demanded Rs.51 from Indian customers and USD 11 from foreign customers as a “delivery charge” and was also seeking donations from the public to facilitate the initiative
The bench of Justice Sanjeev Narula observed that ‘Khadi Organic’ sought to monopolize the sacred event by capitalising on the religious beliefs and devotion of the public. “It appears that Defendants No. 1 and 2 are attempting to monopolise the consecration event by preying on the public’s religious beliefs and devotion and deceiving them into transferring money to Defendants No. 1 and 2, using the Plaintiff’s goodwill” the court said.
It also contended that the website was deceiving customers into transferring money by using Khadi and Village Industries Commission’s goodwill and was obtaining money falsely without providing a confirmation receipt or proof of dispatch.
Therefore, it issued the order restraining the owners of ‘Khadi Organic’ from manufacturing, selling, exporting, or advertising any goods or services under the mark ‘Khadi Organic. The court further directed Squarespace Domains II LLC, the registrar of the ‘www.khadiorganic.com‘ domain, to suspend its operation and maintain the status quo regarding the domain name’s ownership.
Lastly, the court remarked that the Village Industries Commission had prima facie made a case in their favour and would suffer an irreparable loss in case if the interim injunction is not granted.
Case Title: Khadi and Village Industries Commission v. Mr. Ashish Singh & Ors.
Written by Shagun Behal
