Delhi High Court Restrains Breakaway Karan Satsang Group From Portraying HDH Bapji As Its Founder

The Delhi High Court has restrained a breakaway organisation formed by former members of Shree Swaminarayan Sarvopari Siddhant Digvijay Trust from using the trademark "Karan Satsang" and portraying the Trust's founder, His Divine Holiness Devnandandasji Swami (HDH Bapji), as its own founder.

Justice Tushar Rao Gedela passed the ex-parte ad-interim order on May 26 in a suit filed by the Trust against Sukhmay Karan Satsang Foundation and its office-bearers.

The Trust stated that former trustees Sadhu Divya Swarup Das, Sadhu Utsav Priya Das and two former officials associated with its Mehesana center were previously associated with the organization.

According to the Trust, after Sadhu Divya Swarup Das left the Trust in 2024, Sukhmay Karan Satsang Foundation was incorporated through the former associates. The Trust alleged that the foundation adopted "Karan Satsang" as a dominant part of its name.

The trust stated that HDH Bapji established it in 1983 for propagating the theological doctrine known as "Karan Satsang". It further stated that it owns registrations for the mark in 44 classes. According to the Trust, it has established more than 80 temples and more than 100 spiritual centres in India and ten other countries.

The Trust alleged that Sukhmay Karan Satsang Foundation published books using HDH Bapji's name, image and sermons. It also alleged that the foundation disseminated content through YouTube, Instagram and Facebook. According to the Trust, the foundation represented HDH Bapji as its founder despite having been incorporated in 2024.

Recording the Trust's submission that HDH Bapji passed away in 2019 while Sukhmay Karan Satsang Foundation was founded in 2024, the Court observed:

"It has been stated by the plaintiff that HDH Bapji had left his mortal body in the year 2019 while the defendant no.1 was founded and incorporated in the year 2024, and therefore, it could not be believed that HDH Bapji was the founder of defendant no.1. The said submission resonates logic."

The court also took note of the Trust's contention that the adoption of the mark could not be claimed to be bona fide because the persons behind the foundation had previously been associated with the Trust and were aware of the "Karan Satsang" doctrine.

Accepting the contention at the interim stage, Justice Gedela observed,

"It was also submitted that this is not the case where the defendants could have asserted bona fide adoption for the reason that defendant no.4 was a trustee of the plaintiff Trust and defendant nos.2 and 3 were Sadhu in the plaintiff Trust, and thus, were fully aware of the spiritual doctrine 'KARAN SATSANG' conceived and conceptualised by the original founder HDH Bapji in alignment with the Swaminarayan Principles of spirituality. The said submission appeals to the Court at this stage."

Holding that the Trust had established a prima facie strong case and that the balance of convenience was in its favour, the Court restrained Sukhmay Karan Satsang Foundation and its office-bearers from using "Karan Satsang", "Sukhmay Karan Satsang", "Swaminarayan Sukhmay Karan Satsang", "SSKS" or any variant thereof as part of a corporate name, trade name, trademark, domain name, social media handle, publication, advertisement, book, video or digital content.

The court also directed the foundation and its office-bearers to take down, remove, delete and disable access to infringing books, videos, social media posts, reels, messages, publications, and digital content.

The matter will next be heard on November 6, 2026.