India’s courts witness key rulings on presidential powers, trademark settlements, liquor licensing, ancient jurisprudence, and judicial accountability this week.
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS (15 APRIL 2025)
LODHAS SETTLE ₹5,000 CRORE TRADEMARK DISPUTE VIA MEDIATION
CASE NAME: Macrotech Developers Ltd. vs House of Abhinandan Lodha & Ors.
The Lodha brothers—Abhishek and Abhinandan—have amicably settled a ₹5,000 crore trademark dispute over the ‘Lodha’ brand. The Bombay High Court referred the matter to mediation, resulting in a comprehensive agreement that affirms Macrotech’s exclusive rights over the ‘Lodha’ trademark while allowing Abhinandan to continue independently under the HoABL brand.
LEGAL PROVISIONS
- Trademark Act, 1999 – Sections 29 (Infringement), 30 (Limits on effect), 134 (Jurisdiction)
- Civil Procedure Code, 1908 – Order XXIII (Compromise of Suit)
- Mediation under Section 89, CPC – Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Contract Act, 1872 – Enforceability of settlement agreements
- Family Settlement Doctrine – Validates private settlements among family members
Source : Bombay High Court
DELHI HIGH COURT ALLOWS HAUZ KHAS SOCIAL TO RESUME ALCOHOL SERVICE
CASE NAME: Epiphany Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. vs. Commissioner, Excise Department & Ors.
The Delhi High Court permitted Hauz Khas Social to resume liquor sales after staying an Excise Department order halting operations due to an allegedly expired Eating House License. The court found the action premature as renewal was pending and deemed valid under the 2023 regulations, directing swift license renewal.
LEGAL PROVISION
- Delhi Eating Houses Registration Regulations, 2023 – Para 6(ii): Deemed registration valid until renewal or rejection
- Excise Act compliance: L-17 & L-17F licenses valid till June 30
- Show Cause Notices: SCNs must be adjudicated post-response
- Administrative delay: Bureaucratic failure to issue ‘area suitability report’
SOURCE: Delhi High Court
JUSTICE PANKAJ MITHAL CALLS FOR INCLUSION OF ANCIENT INDIAN LEGAL TRADITIONS IN LAW SCHOOL CURRICULUM
FACT: Justice Pankaj Mithal’s Address at Legal Conclave on 75 Years of Supreme Court
Supreme Court Judge Justice Pankaj Mithal urged law schools to incorporate ancient Indian legal and philosophical texts like Vedas, Arthashastra, and Manusmriti into their curriculum. He proposed introducing courses such as “Dharma and Indian Legal Thought” to root legal education in Indian jurisprudential heritage and foster culturally informed legal reasoning.
LEGAL PROVISIONS
- Vedas, Upanishads, Smritis, Manusmriti, and Arthashastra as sources of early Indian jurisprudence.
- Conceptual parallel between Article 14 and Samatva (equality) in ancient texts.
- Alternative dispute resolution inspired by Panchayat systems.
- Environmental law rooted in Prakriti reverence from Vedas.
- Constitutional morality linked with Rajadharma (ethical governance).
Source: Supreme Court of India
Also Read: DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS (14 APRIL 2025)
WRITTEN BY– ISHA SHARMA
EDITED BY – VISHAKHA KHATRI
