Delhi High Court Temporarily Restrains Ahmedabad Project From Using 'ANANTARA' Mark In Minor Hotels Suit

The Delhi High Court on 3 August, restrained the Ahmedabad-based real estate project “Anantara Galleria” and its operators from using the mark “ANANTARA” in a trademark infringement suit filed by MHG IP Holding Singapore Pte Ltd, which is part of Minor Hotel Group.

Justice Jyoti Singh granted an ex parte ad interim injunction against the defendants operating under the names “Anantara Galleria” and “Anantara” and using the domain name “www.anantara.life”, noting that the marks were similar to the plaintiffs' ANANTARA hotel chain. She observed:

“Use of deceptively similar trademarks is prima facie with a view to encash on the formidable goodwill and reputation of the Plaintiffs and misrepresent to the public that Defendants have some affiliation or association or a commercial nexus with the Plaintiffs.”

MHG IP Holding, a part of Minor International Public Company Limited, told the Court that it owns and operates over 50 luxury hotels, resorts and spas under the ANANTARA trademarks across Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe.

The plaintiffs stated that they adopted the ANANTARA mark in 2000 and that the hotel chain has since expanded to over 60 properties globally, including Anantara Jewel Bagh in Jaipur. They stated that in September 2025, they discovered that the defendants were using the mark “ANANTARA” for a real estate project in Ahmedabad, which was promoted through platforms including 99acres.com, Housing.com and Ahmedabad Property Expo. Further, that they had issued a cease and desist notice and initiated pre-institution mediation proceedings, but the defendants failed to respond.

The Court noted that the “plaintiffs have sent cease and desist notice followed by pre-institution mediation proceedings, but to no avail and despite service of advance copy and the matter being passed over twice, none has appeared to represent the Defendants.”

It held that the plaintiffs had established a prima facie case for grant of an ex parte injunction, observing that the defendants' use of the mark appeared intended to benefit from the goodwill and reputation associated with the plaintiffs' trademarks.

On the balance of convenience and irreparable harm, Justice Singh held:

“I am of the view that the Plaintiffs have made out a prima facie case for grant of ex parte ad interim injunction against the Defendants. Balance of convenience lies in favour of the Plaintiffs and they are likely to suffer irreparable harm in case the interim injunction, as prayed for, is not granted.”

Accordingly, the High Court restrained the defendants from using, advertising or dealing with the marks “Anantara Galleria” and “Anantara” or any deceptively similar variants, including the domain name “www.anantara.life”, in relation to real estate, hospitality, residential or allied services until the next date of hearing.

The matter has been listed for further hearing on 27 November 2026.