Leading real estate businessman Niranjan Hiranandani has filed a suit in the Bombay High Court seeking to restrain his married daughter Priya Hiranandani Vandrevala from using the name ‘Hiranandani’ in her business.
The suit, filed by Niranjan, his brother Surendra and their company Hiranandani Constructions Private Ltd (HCPL), has sought Rs. 50 crore damages for alleged infringement of copyright and trademark by Hiranandani Living Pvt Ltd promoted by defendant Priya. The suit would come up for hearing on March 10 before Justice S J Kathawala.
Hiranandani Construction Pvt Ltd is a well known brand in the premium segment of the real estate industry, not only in Mumbai but also in many cities across the country such as Pune, Bangalore and Chennai. The company also has business ventures in Dubai.
Niranjan and others contended that “the defendants are passing off their business/ services/ activities as those of the plaintiffs” and that they had suffered irreparable harm and injury due to the alleged infringement.
“The manner in which the defendants have set out using the mark ‘Hiranandani’ is clear evidence of dishonest and fraudulent intentions of the defendants to deceive and confuse the public, consumers and traders,” the suit contended.
“The family is in talks (with the other group) on the methodology to use the Hiranandani brand in the future. (We are) likely to work it out shortly,” a spokesman of Hiranandani Group said.

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on Wednesday defended extension of parole of actor Sanjay Dutt, convicted in the 1993 Bombay serial blasts case, saying the action was taken as per law and no rules were violated.

“Decisions are taken as per law, without violating any provisions. Decisions are taken at the appropriate level. There is nothing political in it, no rules were violated,” the chief minister said.

The parole to Dutt, 53, convicted under Arms Act for illegal possession of weapons, part of a cache to be used during the terror attack, was on Tuesday extended by another month by Pune district authorities to enable him to attend to his ailing wife Manyata, who recently underwent a surgical procedure.

He was supposed to return to Yerawada jail on February 21 to serve the remainder of his five year sentence.

The Bollywood actor was granted a month-long parole on December 6 last year, which was extended by another 30 days last month on account of his wife’s illness. Before that, he was on a month-long leave of furlough on medical grounds.

Dutt’s release on parole in December had sparked protests outside Yerawada jail, forcing the government to order an inquiry.

His prolonged stay out of prison has triggered a controversy with a PIL being filed on Tuesday in the Bombay High Court challenging extension of his parole. The PIL accusing the superintendent of Yerawada jail and Pune Divisional Commissioner of abusing their powers has been posted for hearing on February 25.

Maharashtra NavnirmanSena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, who recently led state-wide protests against toll collection, on Wednesday met newly-appointed Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria at his office.

Thackeray visited Maria’s office at the Police Headquarters in South Mumbai at about 11.15 AM, police sources said adding the meeting between the MNS chief and city’s top cop lasted for about 30 minutes.

“It was a courtesy visit by Thackeray,” Deputy Police Commissioner (spokesperson) Mahesh Patil said.

Last week, Thackeray had carried out a anti-toll collection agitation where scores of MNS workers held protests across the state demanding its abolition. Thackeray, who had left his home in Dadar in central Mumbai was stopped in Chembur and detained by police while he was heading towards the Vashi toll booth as part of the stir. He was later released.

Maria took over as the Mumbai Police Commissioner on Sunday and stressed on adopting zero tolerance towards street crimes while describing urban terrorism and organised crime as challenges before the force.

In a relief to top officials of ICICI Prudential Life, including its chairperson Chanda Kochhar and four senior officials, the Bombay High Court has temporarily restrained police from taking action against them till February 21 in a case alleging that they failed to act in a sexual harassment complaint filed by an employee.

A division bench of justices N H Patil and V L Achliya was yesterday hearing a petition filed by Kochhar and the other executives seeking quashing of the case filed against them by the Navi Mumbai police.

The bench posted the matter for further hearing to February 21 and asked police not to take action against the ICICI officials until then.

The case pertains to an internal complaint by a female employee of ICICI Prudential, which is promoted by ICICI Bank, alleging sexual harassment by one of her male colleagues.

The complainant has accused a colleague of sexually harassing her in the Vashi branch of the company and that the management allegedly did not take any action on her complaint.

Following this the woman filed an abetment case against Kochhar and four senior executives of the company before a magistrate in CBD Belapur in Navi Mumbai.

Last month, the magistrate had directed the Navi Mumbai police to file an FIR and probe the allegations, following which Kochhar and other executives approached the High Court.

Senior counsel ShirishGupte, appearing for Kochhar and others, told the court that an internal inquiry had not found any merit in the sexual harassment charge. He also argued that the alleged act had taken place at the Vashi branch and that his clients had nothing to do with the case.

Newly appointed Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria has announced several measures to beef up security of the city. Every police station will prepare a list of top criminals and gangsters in their area. These lists will be forwarded to senior police officials. The crime branch will monitor the movements of these anti-social elements which will enable the cops to scrutinize the crime activities.

Maria also announced that complaint of a missing woman can be registered in any police station and the complainant doesn’t have to run from one police station to the other. Police are planning to have a separate quick redressal desk for women and senior citizen complainants.

Speaking about the safety on women, Maria stated, “There will be exclusive women police mobile patrols on the roads lending to railway, temple from the school, colleges. These vans will be exclusively dedicated to women’s security.”

“We are also planning to set up a special helpline number 103 dedicated to victims of sexual abuse and assault. If the victim calls the helpline number a woman police officer will go to her house and record the complaint,” Maria further added.