Prada-Kolhapuri chappal row: PIL dismissed by Bombay HC, citing locus

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Wednesday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) filed against Italian fashion house Prada, which alleged unauthorised use of the renowned Kolhapuri chappal design in its spring/summer collection.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne questioned the "locus" (legal standing) and statutory right of the five advocates who had filed the PIL. The court asserted that the petitioners were neither the aggrieved parties nor the registered proprietors or owners of the Kolhapuri chappal, stating, "You are not the owner of this Kolhapuri chappal. What is your locus, and what is the public interest? Any person aggrieved can file a suit."

The PIL had contended that the Kolhapuri chappal, a traditional Indian sandal, is protected as a Geographical Indication (GI) under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act. However, the bench clarified that the registered proprietor of the GI Tag is the appropriate entity to approach the court and initiate legal action.

Prada's 'toe-ring sandals,' priced at approximately Rs 1 lakh per pair, were central to the petition, which claimed they were deceptively similar to the Kolhapuri chappals. Following the arguments, the court dismissed the plea, stating that a detailed order would be passed later.

With inputs from PTI