Renu Bajaj Vs Consilium Automation

Single Trial for Affiliate Companies

Background of the Case:

The case of Renu Bajaj & Anr. v. Consilium Automation & Fire Protection Ltd. & Ors. was brought before the High Court of Delhi, focusing on a commercial dispute involving the supply of materials by the appellants, Renu Bajaj and others, to various entities allegedly belonging to the Consilium Group of Companies. The appellants are suppliers of pipes, pipe fittings, hardware, and other allied items. They claim that they had supplied these materials to the respondents, which included different companies affiliated with the Consilium Group, and had issued invoices to various group entities at the respondents' request for accounting purposes. The appellants argued that all transactions were conducted under the representation of a common agent for the respondents.

The appellants approached the High Court after a decision of the lower court, seeking clarity on whether the respondents, a group of companies, could be treated as a single entity for the purposes of the suit, or if each company was to be treated as separate legal entities.

Issue of the Case:

The central issue in this case was whether the respondents were part of a single, cohesive group of companies, as claimed by the appellants, or if each respondent functioned as an independent legal entity. The resolution of this issue was critical in determining the structure of the legal proceedings. If the respondents were indeed part of the same group, a joint trial would be appropriate; however, if they were separate, each respondent would be entitled to independent legal proceedings.

This issue also involved determining the applicability of Order I Rule 3A of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (CPC), which governs the joinder of defendants and whether such joinder would cause delays or complications in the trial.

Contentions of the Parties:

Appellants' Contentions:

The appellants argued that all the respondents were part of the Consilium Group and that they had dealt with them collectively. They claimed that they had raised invoices on different affiliate companies at the request of the respondents, purely for accounting purposes, and that the underlying transactions were part of a unified business relationship. The appellants further contended that requiring separate trials for each respondent would lead to the same evidence being presented multiple times, resulting in delays and inefficiencies in the judicial process.

Respondents' Contentions:

On the other hand, the respondents, through their legal counsel, disputed the appellants' claims. They argued that each of the companies named in the suit was a separate legal entity, independent of the others. They asserted that the appellants’ assumption that the respondents were part of a group was factually incorrect and that the case against them was based on a flawed premise. As such, they argued that the suit could not be sustained against all respondents collectively and that each respondent should be entitled to separate legal proceedings.

Issues Dealt with by the Court:

The court had to address two primary issues:

Joinder of Defendants under Order I Rule 3A of CPC:

The court was tasked with determining whether the joinder of the respondents as defendants would embarrass or delay the trial of the suit. This rule is designed to prevent unnecessary complications in legal proceedings where multiple defendants are joined inappropriately.

Ambiguity in the Plaint:

The court also had to address certain ambiguities in the plaint, particularly the references to the "defendant" and the "defendant company." It was necessary to determine whether these references collectively referred to all respondents or only to individual companies. The court had to clarify whether the appellants had established a sufficient basis to treat the respondents as a group for legal purposes.

Reasoning and Final Decision:

The High Court, after carefully considering the arguments and the legal framework, ruled in favor of the appellants. The court observed that the appellants had dealt with the respondents collectively through a common representative and that the invoices were raised against different affiliate companies purely for accounting convenience. The court found no substantive grounds to believe that the joinder of the respondents would embarrass or delay the trial of the suit.

The court further noted that the factual matrix of the case indicated that a single trial would be the most efficient way to resolve the dispute, as separate trials would result in the same evidence being led multiple times, thus prolonging the litigation unnecessarily. Additionally, the court pointed out that the appellants had sufficiently established that the respondents operated as part of a unified group for the purposes of their business dealings with the appellants, justifying the joint trial.

As a result, the High Court allowed the appeal, set aside the impugned order of the lower court, and restored the appellants' suit to be heard before the learned Commercial Court. The court directed the parties to appear before the District Judge for further proceedings on 11.09.2024, ensuring that all rights and contentions of the parties were preserved for trial.

The court’s decision underscored the importance of judicial efficiency and fairness, particularly in commercial disputes where the involvement of multiple related entities can complicate proceedings. By allowing a single trial, the court sought to streamline the resolution of the case while ensuring that all parties had the opportunity to fully present their case.

Case Citation: Renu Bajaj Vs Consilium Automation: 28.08.2024: FAO (COMM) 258/2023: 22024:DHC6576: Delhi High Court: Vibhu Bakhru and Tara Vitasta Ganju, H.J.

Written by: Advocate Ajay Amitabh Suman

IP Adjutor [Patent and Trademark Attorney] United & United

Email: amitabh@unitedandunited.com, Phone: 9990389539

Disclaimer:

The information shared here is intended to serve the public interest by offering insights and perspectives. However, readers are advised to exercise their own discretion when interpreting and applying this information. The content herein is subjective and may contain errors in perception, interpretation, and presentation.

Rasayanam Enterprises Vs Upakarma Ayurveda Pvt Ltd

Trademark Infringement and Passing Off in Ayurvedic Packaging

Background of the Case:

The case of Rasayanam Enterprises vs. Upakarma Ayurveda Pvt. Ltd. was heard before the High Court of Delhi and revolves around a dispute concerning trademark infringement and passing off. Rasayanam Enterprises (the Appellant) and Upakarma Ayurveda Pvt. Ltd. (the Respondent) are two companies involved in the sale of Ayurvedic products. The Appellant challenged an interim order that restrained them from using packaging that the Respondent claimed was deceptively similar to their own. The Respondent alleged that the Appellant’s packaging design was confusingly close to theirs, thereby infringing on their trademark rights and leading to passing off.

Issue of the Case:

At the heart of the dispute was the question of whether Rasayanam Enterprises' packaging infringed on Upakarma Ayurveda’s trademark rights or amounted to passing off. Rasayanam Enterprises argued that they had made sufficient alterations to their packaging to distinguish it from Upakarma’s, particularly in terms of color schemes and design elements. They contended that the beige color used by both parties was not distinctive enough to confer exclusivity and hence did not constitute infringement. In contrast, Upakarma Ayurveda maintained that despite the Appellant's changes, the packaging remained deceptively similar, causing a likelihood of consumer confusion.

Contentions of the Parties:

Appellant’s Contentions: Rasayanam Enterprises argued that they held a registered trademark for their new packaging, which incorporated changes sufficient to differentiate it from the Respondent's design. They claimed there was no monopoly over the use of the beige color and that their packaging did not infringe upon the Respondent’s trademark. Moreover, they asserted that the changes made were in good faith and effectively negated the chance of confusion in the marketplace.

Respondent’s Contentions: Upakarma Ayurveda countered that the Appellant’s packaging remained deceptively similar despite the changes. They argued that the alterations were superficial and done with mala fide intent to circumvent the earlier injunction order. According to the Respondent, the Appellant’s adoption of a similar brown packaging was aimed at capitalizing on the goodwill and reputation of their products, thereby misleading consumers.

The key issues addressed by the court were:

Whether the Appellant’s new packaging, particularly for their 10 gm and 20 gm products, infringed upon the Respondent’s trademark.

Whether the similarities in the packaging constituted passing off by creating confusion among consumers.

The principles governing the grant of interim relief, especially considering the likelihood of confusion and the balance of convenience between the parties during the pendency of the suit.

Reasoning and Final Decision:

After a thorough examination of the new packaging designs and applying the relevant legal principles of trademark infringement and passing off, the court reached the following conclusions:

For the 10 gm product, the court found that the changes made by the Appellant were sufficient to avoid consumer confusion. The court determined that the overall commercial impression created by the packaging was distinct enough, thereby justifying the use of the packaging by Rasayanam Enterprises.

For the 20 gm product, however, the court ruled that the packaging remained deceptively similar to the Respondent’s design. The court upheld the Single Judge’s findings that the changes were inadequate, and the likelihood of confusion persisted.

In dismissing the appeal, the court emphasized that its findings were made within the context of interim relief, and the final determination of the case would depend on the trial's outcome. The court’s decision was grounded in the principle that trademark disputes should focus on the overall commercial impression of the packaging from the perspective of an average consumer with imperfect recollection. Consequently, the injunction against Rasayanam Enterprises for their 20 gm product was upheld, protecting Upakarma Ayurveda’s trademark rights in the interim period.

Case Citation: Rasayanam Enterprises Vs Upakarma Ayurveda Pvt Ltd: 18.08.2024: FAO(OS)(COMM) 80/202: 2024:DHC7131: Delhi High Court: Vibhu Bakhru and Tara Vitasta Ganju, H.J.

Written by: Advocate Ajay Amitabh Suman

IP Adjutor [Patent and Trademark Attorney] United & United

Email: amitabh@unitedandunited.com, Phone: 9990389539

Disclaimer:

The information shared here is intended to serve the public interest by offering insights and perspectives. However, readers are advised to exercise their own discretion when interpreting and applying this information. The content herein is subjective and may contain errors in perception, interpretation, and presentation.

Manhar Sabharwal Vs High Court of Delhi

In Case of Conflict, Delhi Original Side Rules Prevail Over CPC

Background of the Case:

The case at hand, Manhar Sabharwal Vs High Court of Delhi, decided on August 23, 2024, involves a significant constitutional challenge raised by the petitioner, Manhar Sabharwal, against the High Court of Delhi. The core of the dispute revolves around the constitutionality of Rule 4, Chapter VII of the Delhi High Court (Original Side) Rules, 2018. This rule imposes a strict 120-day deadline for filing a written statement in non-commercial matters. The petitioner contested the rule, arguing that it conflicted with provisions under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (CPC), which offers more flexibility in granting extensions to file written statements.

The petitioner, represented by a team of advocates, challenged the legality of the rule, naming the High Court of Delhi and other respondents. At the heart of the matter is whether the Delhi High Court’s Original Side Rules, which govern the procedures in civil cases directly instituted before the Delhi High Court, can impose stricter procedural limits than those prescribed by the CPC, a statute that broadly governs civil procedures across all Indian courts.

Issue of the Case:

The primary issue before the court was the constitutionality and legality of Rule 4, Chapter VII of the Delhi High Court (Original Side) Rules, 2018. This rule mandates that in non-commercial matters, parties must file their written statements within 120 days of being served the summons, without allowing for judicial discretion in condoning delays beyond this period.

The petitioner contended that this rule is discriminatory and violates the Constitution of India, specifically Article 14, which guarantees the right to equality before the law. According to the petitioner, the rule unfairly strips the court of its inherent powers under Order VIII, Rule 1 of the CPC, which gives judges discretion to condone delays in filing written statements, subject to certain reasonable conditions.

Contentions of the Parties:

Petitioner’s Arguments:

The petitioner argued that Rule 4, Chapter VII is not merely a procedural rule but a substantive provision, as it directly affects the rights of litigants by imposing a rigid and inflexible timeline. This, the petitioner claimed, unjustly restricts the ability of the court to exercise discretion in matters of delay.

It was contended that the rule violated several constitutional provisions, including Article 14, which guarantees equality before the law, and Article 141, which mandates that the law declared by the Supreme Court is binding on all courts. The petitioner further argued that the rule contravened Articles 142 and 144, which deal with the enforcement of Supreme Court orders and the duty of all courts to act in aid of the Supreme Court.

The petitioner also invoked the Concurrent List under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, arguing that since civil procedure falls under this list, the High Court did not have the legislative competence to override the CPC, particularly Sections 122 to 128, which govern the procedural aspects of civil cases.

In essence, the petitioner submitted that the High Court’s rule is ultra vires, or beyond its legal authority, as it curtails the judicial discretion available to judges under the CPC, which allows them to extend the time for filing a written statement based on the facts and circumstances of each case.

Respondents’ Arguments:

The respondents, represented by advocates of the Delhi High Court, countered the petitioner’s claims by relying on Section 129 of the CPC. This section empowers the High Court to make its own rules of practice and procedure for civil cases on its Original Side, where cases are filed directly in the High Court, rather than in subordinate courts.

The respondents argued that Rule 4, Chapter VII is purely procedural in nature and falls squarely within the competence of the Delhi High Court to frame under its rule-making powers. The rule’s purpose, they contended, is to ensure the speedy disposal of civil cases, preventing undue delays that often occur due to late filings of written statements.

They further argued that the rule applies uniformly to all non-commercial matters on the Original Side of the Delhi High Court and does not unjustly discriminate against litigants. The respondents maintained that the 120-day limit is reasonable and does not violate any fundamental rights under the Constitution, including Article 14.

Lastly, they emphasized that Section 129 of the CPC gives the High Court the authority to frame rules that prevail over the general provisions of the CPC when it comes to procedural matters on the Original Side. The respondents maintained that this delegation of power allows the High Court to adopt stricter procedural rules in the interest of judicial efficiency.

Issues Dealt with by the Court:

The court had to address several key issues in this case:

Constitutionality of Rule 4, Chapter VII:

The court examined whether the rule, which imposes a strict 120-day deadline for filing written statements in non-commercial cases, violated constitutional principles, particularly Article 14.

Legislative Competence of the High Court:

The court had to determine whether the Delhi High Court had the legislative authority under Section 129 of the CPC to frame rules that could override provisions of the CPC, specifically Order VIII, Rule 1, which allows for judicial discretion in condoning delays.

Nature of the Rule – Procedural vs. Substantive:

Another critical issue was whether the impugned rule is purely procedural—relating to the conduct of the case—or substantive, affecting the rights of the parties. If the rule were substantive, the High Court would not have the power to frame it.

Potential Discrimination Against Litigants:

The court also considered whether the imposition of a stricter procedural timeline for cases on the High Court’s Original Side unjustly discriminated against litigants compared to those whose cases are heard in Subordinate Courts, where the CPC’s more flexible provisions apply.

Reasoning and Final Decision:

After hearing the arguments and carefully reviewing the record, the court upheld the constitutionality of Rule 4, Chapter VII of the Delhi High Court (Original Side) Rules, 2018. The court reasoned as follows:

Legislative Competence: The court held that Section 129 of the CPC clearly empowers the High Court to frame its own rules of practice and procedure for civil cases on its Original Side. As such, the High Court had the legal authority to impose a stricter timeline for filing written statements than that provided under the general provisions of the CPC.

Procedural Nature of the Rule: The court ruled that the impugned rule is procedural in nature. It deals with the conduct of proceedings and does not affect the substantive rights of the litigants. Therefore, the High Court was within its power to adopt the rule, as it aimed to streamline judicial processes and avoid unnecessary delays.

Non-Discriminatory: The court found that the rule applies uniformly to all litigants before the High Court on the Original Side and does not unjustly discriminate against any party. Moreover, the rule was deemed necessary to maintain the efficient administration of justice in non-commercial matters, given the increasing backlog of cases.

Judicial Discretion: The court held that while the rule does limit the judge’s discretion in condoning delays, this limitation was within the High Court’s power to ensure the timely progression of cases. The restriction does not unjustly infringe on judicial discretion, as the CPC itself allows for the framing of stricter procedural rules by High Courts.

Final Decision:

In its final decision, the court dismissed the petition filed by Manhar Sabharwal and the associated applications, holding that they were devoid of merit. The court upheld the constitutionality and legality of Rule 4, Chapter VII of the Delhi High Court (Original Side) Rules, 2018, finding that the rule was both procedural and within the competence of the High Court. The court concluded that the rule did not violate the principles of equality and fairness enshrined in the Constitution of India. Thus, in cases of conflict, the Delhi High Court (Original Side) Rules would prevail over the CPC when it comes to procedural matters.

Case Citation: Manhar Sabharwal Vs High Court of Delhi: 08.08.2024: Madhu Food Products Vs Surya Processed Food: 2024:DHC6118: Delhi High Court: Chief Justice and Mini Pushkarna, H.J.

Written by: Advocate Ajay Amitabh Suman

IP Adjutor [Patent and Trademark Attorney] United & United

Email: amitabh@unitedandunited.com, Phone: 9990389539

Disclaimer:

The information shared here is intended to serve the public interest by offering insights and perspectives. However, readers are advised to exercise their own discretion when interpreting and applying this information. The content herein is subjective and may contain errors in perception, interpretation, and presentation.

Madhu Food Products Vs Surya Processed Food

Manner of use of a Trademark is different from its Trademark Registration

Factual Background:

The present case is a legal dispute between Madhu Food Products (the appellant) and Surya Processed Food Pvt. Ltd. (the respondent), centering around allegations of trademark infringement, copyright infringement, and passing off. The respondent, Surya Processed Food, initiated a lawsuit seeking a permanent injunction to restrain Madhu Food Products from using the trademark "HUNT" or any mark that is deceptively similar to "HUNK," a trademark registered and used by the respondent.

Surya Processed Food is engaged in manufacturing and marketing a variety of food products and claimed to have registered its trademark "HUNK" for its goods, accompanied by distinctive packaging and trade dress. It further claimed that it had been using the trademark extensively and had developed significant goodwill and market presence.

On the other hand, Madhu Food Products launched a product under the name "CHOCO HUNT" and adopted packaging that the respondent argued was deceptively similar to its own. This led to the filing of the suit, where Surya Processed Food contended that the use of the trademark "CHOCO HUNT" by Madhu Food Products was an infringement of its registered trademark "HUNK" and amounted to passing off, given the similarity in the trade dress and overall get-up of the products.

Issues of the Case:

The case raised several key legal issues:

Trademark Infringement:

Whether the appellant’s use of the trademark "CHOCO HUNT" infringes on the respondent's registered trademark "HUNK," given the visual and phonetic similarities between the two marks.

Passing Off:

Whether the packaging and trade dress used by Madhu Food Products for its product "CHOCO HUNT" were deceptively similar to the trade dress used by Surya Processed Food for its "HUNK" products, thereby creating a likelihood of confusion among consumers.

Suppression of Material Facts:

Whether Surya Processed Food had suppressed material facts, particularly regarding the appellant’s trademark, during its application for an interim injunction. This issue concerned whether the respondent had performed a comprehensive trademark search or had withheld crucial information from the court.

Contentions of the Parties:

Respondent’s Contentions (Surya Processed Food Pvt. Ltd.):

Surya Processed Food asserted its prior registration and extensive use of the trademark "HUNK" in connection with its food products. It argued that the appellant’s trademark "CHOCO HUNT" was deceptively similar to "HUNK," especially due to the prominent use of the word "HUNT," which could mislead consumers.

The respondent alleged that Madhu Food Products had deliberately adopted similar packaging and trade dress, particularly the use of brown as a primary color, in an attempt to pass off its products as those of the respondent. This, the respondent contended, would result in consumer confusion, leading customers to associate the appellant's products with its own well-known brand.The respondent further asserted that the actions of the appellant were aimed at benefiting from the goodwill associated with its trademark and thus sought relief by way of a permanent injunction.

Appellant’s Contentions (Madhu Food Products):

Madhu Food Products argued that its trademark was "CHOCO HUNT" and not simply "HUNT," and that it had been using this trademark since 2018. The appellant contended that there was no likelihood of confusion between the two marks because the words "CHOCO" and "HUNT" were combined in a way that distinguished it from the respondent’s "HUNK" mark.

The appellant accused the respondent of not conducting a proper trademark search before filing the lawsuit, alleging that the respondent had suppressed material facts, including the appellant’s prior use of its own trademark.

Moreover, the appellant maintained that the color brown was a generic choice for packaging in the food industry and could not be monopolized by the respondent. Thus, the use of brown in its packaging did not amount to infringement or passing off.

Issues Dealt with by the Court:

Trademark Search and Suppression of Facts:

The court evaluated whether Surya Processed Food had adequately conducted a trademark search before initiating the lawsuit and whether any material facts, particularly regarding the appellant’s trademark, were suppressed. The appellant’s claim that the respondent had failed to disclose its trademark "CHOCO HUNT" to the court formed a key part of this issue.

Similarity in Trade Dress and Packaging:

The court had to assess whether the trade dress (i.e., the visual appearance of the product packaging) of the appellant’s "CHOCO HUNT" product was similar enough to the respondent’s "HUNK" products to cause confusion among consumers. This included an analysis of the color schemes, design elements, and overall get-up of the packaging.

Prior Use and Registration:

The court considered the respondent’s claim of prior use and registration of the trademark "HUNK" and weighed it against the appellant’s assertion of independent use of the "CHOCO HUNT" trademark since 2018.

Reasoning and Final Decision:

The court, after carefully considering the evidence presented by both parties, arrived at the following conclusions:

Trademark Search and Suppression of Facts:

The court found that the respondent, Surya Processed Food, had not suppressed any material facts. It noted that the respondent had conducted a trademark search using the "start with" option, which did not reveal the appellant’s trademark "CHOCO HUNT." Therefore, the appellant’s claim of suppression of facts was unfounded.

Similarity in Trade Dress and Packaging:

The court observed that the appellant’s use of the trademark "CHOCO HUNT" prominently displayed the word "HUNT" in a manner that closely resembled the respondent’s "HUNK" trademark. Furthermore, the packaging and trade dress adopted by Madhu Food Products bore striking similarities to those used by Surya Processed Food, particularly in terms of color scheme and layout. The court found that these similarities were likely to cause confusion among consumers, leading them to believe that the two products originated from the same source.

Prior Use and Registration:

The court acknowledged the significantly larger turnover of Surya Processed Food under its registered trademark "HUNK," which reinforced its established market presence. The respondent’s prior use and registration of the "HUNK" trademark were deemed legitimate, and the court held that the appellant’s trademark "CHOCO HUNT" was likely to infringe upon the respondent’s rights.

Manner of use of a Trademark is different from its Trademark Registration:

The court further emphasized that the manner in which a trademark is used in the marketplace is critical in determining the likelihood of confusion. It ruled that, despite the appellant’s registration of "CHOCO HUNT," the way the trademark was presented—particularly the dominant use of "HUNT"—was likely to mislead consumers.

Final Decision:

In light of these findings, the court dismissed the appeal filed by Madhu Food Products and upheld the interim order in favor of Surya Processed Food. The court found no merit in the appellant’s arguments regarding trademark use, trade dress, or suppression of facts. It concluded that the respondent’s rights were infringed by the appellant’s actions, and the similarities between the two trademarks, packaging, and overall product presentation justified the respondent’s claims for protection under trademark and passing-off laws.

Case Citation: Madhu Food Products Vs Surya Processed Food: 08.08.2024: Madhu Food Products Vs Surya Processed Food: 2024:DHC6118: Delhi High Court: Vibhu Bakhru and Sachin Datta, H.J.

Written by: Advocate Ajay Amitabh Suman

IP Adjutor [Patent and Trademark Attorney] United & United

Email: amitabh@unitedandunited.com, Phone: 9990389539

Disclaimer:

The information shared here is intended to serve the public interest by offering insights and perspectives. However, readers are advised to exercise their own discretion when interpreting and applying this information. The content herein is subjective and may contain errors in perception, interpretation, and presentation.

KG Marketing India Vs Rashi Santosh

Provisions of Section 340 Cr.P.C. even in relation to documents where forgery are committed prior to filing in a Court proceeding

Background of the Case:

The case in question, KG Marketing India Vs Rashi Santosh Soni & Anr., involves a complex trademark dispute between the appellant, KG Marketing India, and the respondents, Rashi Santosh Soni and another party. The litigation was initiated when the appellant, KG Marketing India, filed a suit, CS (COMM) No.18/2023, asserting its rights over certain trademarks and claiming extensive use and advertising of these marks. The appellant sought judicial relief based on these claims, relying heavily on newspaper advertisements to establish the substantial promotion of its trademarks in the market.

However, the respondents, Rashi Santosh Soni and the second respondent, responded by filing a cross-suit, CS (COMM) No.477/2023, alleging that KG Marketing India had engaged in fraudulent practices to support its claims. The respondents contended that the advertisements presented by the appellant were not genuine but rather fabricated to deceive the court into believing that the appellant had established goodwill and extensive use of the trademarks.

The allegations raised by the respondents led to a more serious question: whether the appellant had deliberately submitted forged documents to support its legal claims, thereby committing an offense under the law, specifically under Section 340 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (CrPC), which deals with offenses related to the filing of false statements or evidence in judicial proceedings.

Issue of the Case:

The primary issue before the court centered on the authenticity of the newspaper advertisements submitted by KG Marketing India. The appellant claimed that these advertisements, which were presented as evidence of trademark promotion, were genuine and formed the basis for their trademark claims.

In contrast, the respondents contended that these documents were forged and fabricated, and that KG Marketing India had committed an offense by submitting these false documents along with a false Statement of Truth, which accompanied their suit. The filing of a false Statement of Truth under Order VI Rule 15A of the Code of Civil Procedure (CPC) is a serious offense and can lead to criminal liability under Section 340 of the CrPC if the court finds that false evidence or documents have been intentionally produced.

Therefore, the key legal question before the court was whether the appellant’s conduct in submitting allegedly forged advertisements amounted to an offense under Section 340 of the CrPC and whether the court had the jurisdiction to initiate proceedings against the appellant for filing a false Statement of Truth.

Contentions of the Parties:

Appellant's Contentions: KG Marketing India, the appellant, maintained that the court lacked jurisdiction to initiate proceedings under Section 340 of the CrPC. Their primary argument was based on the fact that the forgery and fabrication of the documents, if any, occurred before the institution of the legal proceedings. The appellant argued that since the documents were fabricated prior to the commencement of the lawsuit, Section 340 could not be invoked.

In support of this contention, the appellant relied on various judgments of the Supreme Court, which, according to them, restricted the court’s ability to take action under Section 340 CrPC unless the offense had been committed during the course of judicial proceedings. The appellant argued that any alleged forgery or falsification of evidence that took place before the initiation of the suit could not be the subject of criminal proceedings under this provision.

Respondents' Contentions: The respondents, Rashi Santosh Soni and the other party, vigorously opposed the appellant's submissions. They asserted that KG Marketing India had submitted forged documents to bolster its trademark claims, which amounted to a deliberate attempt to mislead the court. According to the respondents, the filing of false evidence with a fraudulent Statement of Truth violated the sanctity of judicial proceedings and constituted an offense under Section 340 of the CrPC, regardless of when the forgery occurred.

The respondents argued that once false documents had been introduced into the legal process, the court was well within its rights to take cognizance of the offense and initiate proceedings against the appellant for perjury and forgery. They urged the court to reject the appellant’s technical defense regarding the timing of the forgery and hold KG Marketing India accountable for attempting to deceive the court.

Issues Dealt with by the Court:

The court had to address several critical issues:

Authenticity of the Newspaper Advertisements: The court had to determine whether the newspaper advertisements submitted by KG Marketing India as evidence of its trademark promotion were indeed genuine or whether they were fabricated, as alleged by the respondents.

Jurisdiction under Section 340 CrPC: The court also had to resolve the question of whether it had the jurisdiction to initiate proceedings under Section 340 CrPC if the forgery or fabrication of evidence occurred before the legal proceedings commenced. This raised the issue of whether the timing of the offense (before or during the legal proceedings) affected the court’s power to act under Section 340.

Filing of False Statement of Truth: The court was also called upon to determine whether the appellant had filed a false Statement of Truth, and if so, what legal consequences would follow from this act, particularly in the context of trademark litigation.

Reasoning and Final Decision:

After a thorough examination of the evidence and the arguments presented by both sides, the court concluded that KG Marketing India had indeed submitted forged and fabricated documents in support of its claims. The court held that the evidence clearly indicated that the appellant had fabricated newspaper advertisements to mislead the court into believing that their trademarks had been widely promoted.

The court rejected the appellant's contention that it lacked jurisdiction to act under Section 340 CrPC merely because the forgery occurred before the initiation of the legal proceedings. The court held that once forged documents were introduced into the court’s record, it had the authority to take action under Section 340 CrPC, irrespective of when the forgery occurred. The court emphasized that the filing of a false Statement of Truth, accompanied by forged documents, constituted an offense under Section 340 CrPC, which warranted the initiation of criminal proceedings against the appellant.

In addition, the court dismissed the appellant's argument that they had been compelled to file a false Statement of Truth due to a prior forgery, calling this defense "unacceptable" and lacking in merit. The court concluded that such a submission could not excuse or justify the appellant's conduct in producing false documents before the court.

Finally, the court upheld the learned Single Judge’s decision directing the Registrar General to lodge a complaint with the concerned Judicial Magistrate for the initiation of appropriate criminal proceedings against KG Marketing India under Section 340 CrPC. The court found no merit in the appellant’s appeal and accordingly dismissed it, reaffirming the principle that parties who submit false evidence or documents in judicial proceedings must face legal consequences, regardless of the timing of the offense.

Conclusion:

The court’s ruling in KG Marketing India Vs Rashi Santosh Soni & Anr. serves as a strong reminder that the sanctity of judicial proceedings must be preserved, and those who attempt to deceive the court by submitting forged documents will be held accountable under the law. The decision underscores that Section 340 CrPC applies not only to offenses committed during the proceedings but also to forged or false evidence introduced into the record, regardless of when the forgery occurred. By dismissing the appellant’s technical defense, the court sent a clear message that the filing of false Statements of Truth and fabricated documents will not be tolerated in the legal system.

Case Citation: KG Marketing India Vs Rashi Santosh: 23.08.2024: RFA(OS)(COMM) 16/2024: 2024:DHC6385:Delhi High Court: Vibhu Bakhru and Sachin Datta, H.J.

Written by: Advocate Ajay Amitabh Suman

IP Adjutor [Patent and Trademark Attorney] United & United

Email: amitabh@unitedandunited.com, Phone: 9990389539

Disclaimer:

The information shared here is intended to serve the public interest by offering insights and perspectives. However, readers are advised to exercise their own discretion when interpreting and applying this information. The content herein is subjective and may contain errors in perception, interpretation, and presentation.