Abhinandan Lodha, Deputy Managing Director, Lodha Group.

Bombay High Court proposed the appointment of a mediator to resolve the alleged case of trademark breach by the House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL) over Macrotech Developers’ brand name “Lodha,” in a hearing on Monday (January 27, 2025).

“If it is agreeable I propose to give two weeks and I will appoint a mediator either by consent [among the parties] or otherwise, a mediator,” said Justice Arif Doctor to the parties reasoning that the genesis of the dispute is from two brothers and if that is sorted it would be resolved. The case has been listed again for January 28 for both parties to inform the court as to whether they are agreeable for settlement through a mediator.

Macrotech Developers Ltd, headed by Abhishek Lodha, filed a case of trademark breach on the HoABL and demanded an injunction to the tune of ₹5,000 crore in the Bombay High Court earlier this month. The plaintiff, Macrotech Developers claimed that they owned the brand name Lodha and had spent a significant amount of money to build it.

Also Read | Who is the real Lodha? Mumbai’s new sibling rivalry 

After Abhinandan Lodha split and started HoABL, a family settlement agreement in 2017 had forbid the use of the brand name, which the latter at first agreed to comply.

Abhishek Lodha and Abhinandan Lodha are sons of Mangal Prabhat Lodha, the minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship who founded the company in 1980s.

Macrotech in their petition alleged that he later continued to use the word, despite multiple attempts to inform Mr.Abhinandan about the same. The company said that it was critical for them to protect their intellectual property rights and continued use of the word “Lodha” was leading to confusion of Macrotech customers, in a regulatory filing. HoABL maintained that the suit filed was because Macrotech Developers and its CEO Abhishek Lodha could not digest the success of the newly formed firm.

Abhinandan Lodha. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

HoABL Infraworld Private Limited, led by Abhinandan Lodha, has announced the acquisition of the iconic American Centre in Mumbai for ₹56 crore.

The ground plus seven-storey structure spans 13,37.81 sq. metre with views of the Mumbai harbour on the east and the Marine Drive on the west. “This property, part of U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai, will have a developmental potential of around 60,000 sq.ft,” the company said. 

“Built in 1968, the American Centre in Mumbai long served as a cornerstone of U.S.-India relations. Over the years, the property housed key institutions including the American Library, the U.S.-India Educational Foundation, the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service and the press and cultural affairs offices,” said Greg Pardo, spokesperson, American Consulate.

“For generations, the American Centre played a vital role in fostering U.S.-India people-to-people connections and advancing U.S.-India commercial and cultural ties,” he added. Abhinandan Lodha, chairman of HoABL Infraworld Private Limited said, “The Indian real estate market is at a pivotal juncture, fuelled by rising demand, favorable policies and evolving lifestyles.

“We entered this deal during the peak of the pandemic in 2021, purchasing the property with the understanding that the final agreement would follow post governmental approvals. Now that these approvals are in place, we are grateful to see the transaction successfully concluded,” he said.