The Bombay High Court on 4 November ordered search and seizure operations across eight states against seven defendants accused of manufacturing and selling counterfeit bedsheets and towels bearing Bombay Dyeing's trademarks.
Justice M.M. Sathaye appointed a Court Receiver and eight Additional Special Receivers to search the defendants' premises, seize counterfeit products and confiscate materials used in their manufacture, including labels, packaging material, printing equipment, moulds and machinery.
Bombay Dyeing and Manufacturing Company Limited approached the Court alleging that the seven defendants were manufacturing, stocking, distributing and selling counterfeit products bearing its trademarks without authorisation.
Counsel appearing for Bombay Dyeing submitted that the company had been using its trademark since 1879 and had built a substantial reputation in the textile industry. The company had discovered counterfeit bedsheets bearing its trademarks at multiple locations across the country.
Further, the police seized 258 counterfeit bedsheets worth approximately Rs. 9 lakh during a raid at the Nashik International Trade Fair in December 2025. Subsequent raids allegedly resulted in the recovery of around 150 counterfeit bedsheets in Hyderabad, 80-100 in Bengaluru and 75 at Vashi in Navi Mumbai.
The company also pointed out that several seized bedsheets carried the marking 'WHITE ANGEL BY MJ HOME'. It alleged that investigations had revealed a wider manufacturing and distribution network operating through different trade names, concealed godowns and suppliers.
It also submitted that the defendants had copied its trademarks, labels, packaging and artistic works to make consumers believe that the counterfeit products originated from or were authorised by the company.
After examining the original and counterfeit products produced before it, the Court found Bombay Dyeing entitled to ex-parte ad-interim relief.
It authorised the receivers to search the defendants' premises across Maharashtra, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. They may break open locks, if necessary, with police assistance, and seize and seal infringing goods and materials used in their manufacture.
Lastly, the Bench directed the local police authorities to assist the receivers in executing the order. The receivers must submit their reports by 11 January 2027, while the Court Receiver must submit a report to the Court by 18 January 2027.
The interim order will continue until the next hearing on 20 January 2027.
For Bombay Dyeing: Advocate Hiren Kamod a/w Hemant Thadhani, Jay Zaveri, Rooppreet Dhamiji, Ujjwal Batra, Nidhi Mishra i/b Crawford Bayley & Co.