After three months of mediation, real estate developers and brothers Abhishek and Abhinandan Lodha said on Monday that under the guidance of their parents, they could friendly resolve all the pending disputes between their respective companies.
As part of the solution, Macrotech Developers Ltd, led by Abhishek Lodha, will retain exclusive ownership and use rights under the brand names “Lodha” and “Lodha Group”. The companies said in a joint statement that his younger brother Abhinandan Lodha will own and use the brand “Abhinandan Lodha House of Abhinandan Lodha” (Hoabl).
Lodha Group and Hoabl operate independently and have no affiliation with each other.
Monday’s statement clarified that Abhinandan Lodha has no rights or claims in Lodha Group, Macrotech developer or any other business of Abhishek. Similarly, Abhishek Lodha has no rights or claims in any business owned by Hoabl or Abhinandan.
“Abhishek and Abhinandan expressed their sincere gratitude to Justice RV Raveendran (Retd.) for their guidance during the mediation process was invaluable. The family also thanked Dr. Arif Arif for encouraging them to conduct mediation,” the statement added. “They offered their attorneys and support to all the family elders and good wishes who provided lawyers and support throughout the resolution process.”
Macrotech developer is one of the leading real estate companies in India, known for selling real estate under the “Lodha” brand.
The house of Abhinandan Lodha, a private company led by Lodha Ventures, was established in 2021, and was listed on Macrotech in the same year. The company developed land in Maharashtra, Goa and Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.
The origin of the dispute
The dispute dates back to 2015, when the Lodha brothers decided to separate ways.
Abhinandan continues to build Hoabl, while Abhishek continues to manage the family’s real estate business through Macrotech developers. Their separation was formally conducted through a family settlement agreement in March 2017, which granted Abhishek control of the real estate business.
The agreement stipulates that all intellectual property rights, including trademarks related to real estate, will remain on MacRotech and includes a non-competition clause that prohibits Abhinandan from participating in real estate in the Mumbai metropolitan area for five years and conducts specific periods in larger London.
A new agreement signed in December 2023 reiterates restrictions on the use of names similar or containing “Lodha” brands, including “Lodha Ventures.”
In January, Macrotech developers filed a lawsuit in the Mumbai High Court accusing Hoabl of infringing on the Lodha trademark and misleading customers. The company also seeks ₹500 billion in compensation alleging illegal use of the brand names of “Lodha” and “Lodha Group”.
