Plaintiffs Sanjiv Saraf & Ors. secure injunction against Defendants' use of "Rekhta" in domain names, pending mediation.
In a significant ruling on April 24, 2026, the Delhi High Court has granted an ad interim injunction in favor of the Plaintiffs, Sanjiv Saraf & Ors., trustees of the Rekhta Foundation, against Defendants Manzar Hasan Mukhatar Hasan Syed & Anr. The court has restrained the Defendants from using domain names incorporating the word "Rekhta," which is central to a trademark dispute between the parties.
The Plaintiffs, represented by Ms. Meera Chature Sankhari and her team, argued that the Defendants were infringing on their trademark "Rekhta," a name synonymous with the preservation and promotion of Indian languages, especially Urdu, since 2011. The Rekhta Foundation has built a significant reputation and recognition in the realm of Urdu literature, operating a vast digital repository that garners approximately 27 million users annually.
The Defendants, represented by Mr. Javed R. Sheikh and his team, were operating a website under the domain name "rekhta.in," claiming it as an AI-powered Urdu poetry platform. The Plaintiffs contended that this usage infringed on their trademark rights and could cause irreparable harm to their established brand and mission.
Justice Jyoti Singh, presiding over the case, acknowledged the Plaintiffs' prima facie case and determined that the balance of convenience favored them. Consequently, the court issued an interim injunction, preventing the Defendants from using the contested domain name until the next hearing.
In a positive turn towards resolving the dispute amicably, both parties agreed to explore mediation. They will be referred to the Delhi High Court Mediation and Conciliation Centre, with an appointment scheduled for May 7, 2026.
The case is slated for further proceedings on August 4, 2026, where developments from the mediation process may influence the court's final decision.
This ruling underscores the importance of trademark protection and the judiciary's role in upholding intellectual property rights, particularly in the digital domain. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for similar disputes in the future.
Bottom line:-
Trademark infringement - Plaintiffs established a prima facie case for grant of ad interim injunction against Defendants from using domain names including the word "Rekhta".
Statutory provision(s): Sections 29, 135 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999.
Sanjiv Saraf v. Manzar Hasan Mukhatar Hasan Syed, (Delhi) : Law Finder Doc id # 2890824
