The legal battle over the origins of iconic Indian dishes like butter chicken and dal makhani intensifies as the Delhi High Court takes on the dispute between restaurant chains Moti Mahal and Daryaganj. Now, alleged defamatory remarks have sparked a savory feud, with Daryaganj lodging a complaint against Moti Mahal’s proprietors over comments made in a newspaper interview regarding the origin of butter chicken.
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NEW DELHI: The legal dispute over the true originators of beloved Indian dishes such as butter chicken and dal makhani has ignited a fervent debate in recent weeks. Following the Delhi High Court‘s decision to intervene in the dispute between two prominent Delhi-based restaurant chains, Moti Mahal and Daryaganj, the spotlight has now shifted to alleged defamatory remarks.
Daryaganj has taken the matter to the high court, citing certain alleged defamatory remarks made by the proprietors of Moti Mahal in a newspaper interview regarding the origin of “butter chicken”. This move comes amidst a growing feud between the two establishments, as they vie for recognition as the creators of these culinary delights.
However, the owners of Moti Mahal have countered the allegations, asserting that the remarks in question were merely an “editorial perspective” and should not be directly attributed to them. This defense adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing legal battle.
The dispute gained legal traction when the owners of Moti Mahal initiated a lawsuit in January, claiming that their predecessor, the late Kundan Lal Gujral, was the true inventor of butter chicken and dal makhani. They further accused Daryaganj of “misleading people” regarding the origin of these dishes, setting the stage for a contentious legal showdown.
Justice Sanjeev Narula, presiding over the case, has directed the proprietors of Moti Mahal to submit an affidavit affirming their disassociation from the controversial statements made in published articles. This directive underscores the need for clarity and accountability in a case that has captured widespread attention.
In response, Daryaganj has raised serious concerns about the damaging impact of the alleged defamatory statements, particularly those disseminated by prominent publications such as the “Wall Street Journal”. These statements not only tarnish their business reputation but also pose a threat to a fair adjudication of the lawsuit. Daryaganj insists that immediate corrective action must be taken to retract and remove these harmful remarks.
The proprietors of Moti Mahal, meanwhile, maintain that the expressions attributed to them in the article do not accurately reflect their direct communications or intentions. Their efforts to distance themselves from the controversy underscore the complexity of navigating legal and reputational challenges in the age of widespread media coverage and public scrutiny.
“Plaintiffs, the owners of Moti Mahal, have been directed by Justice Narula in a recent order to submit an affidavit, providing detailed assertions and confirming their efforts to distance themselves from the contentious statement made in published articles. The deadline for submission is within two weeks from today,”
-stated Justice Narula.
The culinary dispute between the two renowned restaurant chains has been ongoing for years, with both claiming to be the originators of the beloved Indian dishes, butter chicken and dal makhani. However, the conflict escalated in January when Moti Mahal initiated legal action against Daryaganj, alleging that the latter was wrongfully taking credit for the creation of these iconic dishes.
Moti Mahal’s proprietors sought to prohibit Daryaganj from asserting that their predecessor, Late Kundan Lal Jaggi, was the mastermind behind butter chicken and dal makhani, dishes that have gained global acclaim. They also aimed to prevent Daryaganj from using the tagline
“by the inventors of butter chicken and dal makhani”
on their website http://www.daryaganj.com and across various social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter, as well as in print and electronic media.
Previously, the high court had summoned the owners of Daryaganj and instructed them to file a written statement in response to the lawsuit. In their legal claim, the owners of Moti Mahal asserted that it was their predecessor, Kundan Lal Gujral, who introduced the first tandoori chicken and later pioneered butter chicken and dal makhani, bringing these culinary creations to India after Partition.
However, the legal representatives of Daryaganj vehemently opposed these assertions, arguing that the lawsuit lacked merit and was without a valid cause of action. They contended that their clients had not made any false representations or claims, and the allegations put forth in the lawsuit were unfounded.
The case is scheduled to be heard next on May 29, where further arguments and evidence are expected to be presented as the legal battle over the origins of butter chicken and dal makhani continues to unfold in the Delhi High Court.
As the legal battle unfolds, the fate of butter chicken and dal makhani hangs in the balance, with both sides fiercely defending their culinary legacies and reputations in a high-stakes courtroom drama.
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