Lodha Brothers' Feud: A Timeline of the Brand Battle
The long-standing dispute between real estate moguls Abhishek Lodha and Abhinandan Lodha has escalated with a Rs 5,000 crore lawsuit over the 'Lodha' trademark. Here’s a detailed timeline of the events leading to the current legal battle.
Real EstateTrademark DisputeAbhishek LodhaAbhinandan LodhaMacrotech DevelopersReal Estate NewsJan 23, 2025
The lawsuit, filed on January 20 in the Bombay High Court, seeks to prevent HoABL from using the ‘Lodha’ name, claiming exclusive trademark rights.
The hearing is scheduled for January 27.
of the Dispute
The Lodha Group, founded in the early 1980s, became one of India's largest real estate developers, offering both residential and commercial properties under the ‘Lodha’ brand.
However, the company faced significant financial stress, with a sharp rise in debt between 2008 and 2024.
In 2011, the income tax department conducted raids on the company, damaging its reputation.
In 2014-15, governance issues were identified in the finance department, which was then led by Abhinandan Lodha.
The Split and Settlement
In 2017, Abhinandan Lodha left the family business to start the House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL) under Lodha Ventures, which includes startup acceleration and other verticals.
The brothers are sons of BJP leader and Maharashtra cabinet minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha.
According to documents shared by Macrotech, Abhinandan initially agreed to take some assets and some debt.
However, he later insisted on receiving only money, leading to Abhishek Lodha and his parents being left with Rs 20,000 crore of debt.
Abhinandan Lodha separated to start a new business with a payout of approximately Rs 10,000 crore.
The family went through a 'near death experience' due to this burden of debt.
Post-Split Developments
In April 2021, Macrotech Developers Ltd was listed on BSE and NSE, and the stock price has since risen, with the current market capitalization exceeding Rs 1 lakh crore.
As the Lodha Group’s perception strengthened post-IPO, Abhinandan Lodha launched a real estate business (plots).
He initially tried to use Lodha’s logo in his campaigns but was stopped by Abhishek.
He then started calling his business ‘House of Abhinandan Lodha’ (HoABL).
The Trademark registry raised an objection, stating that the ‘Lodha’ trademarks were similar or identical.
Ongoing Legal Battle
Family members have repeatedly tried to make Abhinandan understand that he should use a separate name and not pass off his business as ‘Lodha’.
Despite these efforts, HoABL and its channel partners continue to use the ‘Lodha’ brand, leading to customer confusion.
Abhishek Lodha has made multiple personal attempts to get Abhinandan to correct the brand narrative.
However, HoABL continues to infringe on the rights of Macrotech Developers.
Macrotech Developers' Stand
A spokesperson from Macrotech Developers stated, 'Lodha’s brand has been built with lots of investment and effort over 40 years.
It is critical for the company to protect its IPR and ensure that no other developer creates confusion of being similar to or the same as our brand.
Our shareholders include the world’s most renowned investors and one of India’s largest charitable entities – we are duty-bound to protect our company’s valuable rights.'
Abhinandan Lodha's Response
Abhinandan Lodha, Chairman of The House of Abhinandan Lodha, explained that Lodha Ventures and Lodha FinServ were given to him as part of the settlement process, with the understanding that the ‘Lodha’ name would not be used on a standalone basis in real estate.
He also highlighted the financial assistance he provided to Macrotech, including loans amounting to over Rs 900 crore and personal guarantees worth over Rs 2000 crore.
He noted that this support was provided out of a sense of family responsibility.
HoABL's Growth and Success
Abhinandan Lodha further stated that the issue has been raised due to the success of HoABL, which Macrotech Developers finds difficult to accept.
In the last four years, HoABL has projects at 16 locations, sold 12 million sqft, and has another 38 million sqft under development.
Their gross sales have been over Rs 6500 crore to over 7000 customers across 25 countries, 23 states, and 107 cities, including top Indian cities and international cities like New York, London, and Singapore.
The Lodha family feud continues to escalate, with the legal battle over the ‘Lodha’ trademark set to be a significant chapter in the history of one of India's most prominent real estate dynasties.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main issue between Abhishek Lodha and Abhinandan Lodha?
The main issue is a trademark dispute over the use of the ‘Lodha’ name in their respective businesses. Abhishek Lodha’s Macrotech Developers claims exclusive rights to the ‘Lodha’ brand, while Abhinandan Lodha’s House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL) continues to use the name.
When did the dispute between the Lodha brothers start?
The dispute started in 2017 when Abhinandan Lodha left the family business to start his own firm, the House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL). The tension escalated over the use of the ‘Lodha’ brand.
What is the current status of the lawsuit filed by Macrotech Developers?
Macrotech Developers filed a Rs 5,000 crore lawsuit against HoABL in the Bombay High Court on January 20, seeking to prevent HoABL from using the ‘Lodha’ name. The hearing is scheduled for January 27.
What was the initial settlement between the Lodha brothers?
The initial settlement in 2017 involved Abhinandan Lodha leaving the family business with a payout of approximately Rs 10,000 crore, while Abhishek Lodha and his parents were left with Rs 20,000 crore in debt.
How has HoABL performed in the real estate market?
HoABL has performed well, with projects at 16 locations, 12 million sqft sold, and another 38 million sqft under development. Their gross sales have exceeded Rs 6500 crore to over 7000 customers across 25 countries, 23 states, and 107 cities.
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