The Bombay High Court has directed the Haryana Police to provide full protection for the execution of its anti-counterfeiting orders after a court-appointed Additional Special Receiver and representatives of Hindustan Unilever were allegedly assaulted during a raid at a manufacturing unit in Ambala. The Court also ordered action against the alleged offenders and sought a report on the steps taken.
Justice Shreeram V. Shirsat was hearing an application filed by Unilever in a trademark infringement suit concerning counterfeit products bearing the company’s well-known brands. According to a report filed by Additional Special Receiver Harshwardhan Joshi, a large quantity of allegedly counterfeit products, including Pond’s, Glow & Lovely, Dove and Clinic Plus products, was discovered at the premises. However, during the seizure operation, a group of persons arrived at the site, physically assaulted the execution team, tore the Receiver’s shirt, snatched mobile phones and forcibly took back the seized goods.
The Receiver further alleged that despite the presence of police personnel, the team was intimidated and followed by multiple vehicles after leaving the premises. He claimed that requests for police escort and protection were not adequately addressed and the Superintendent of Police allegedly dismissed his concerns.
Taking serious note of the incident, the Court observed that the material placed on record, including the Receiver’s report, photographs and medical records, prima facie established that the Receiver and persons accompanying him had been assaulted. The Court remarked that similar incidents had been reported in other matters involving execution of court orders and stated:
“Such tendencies are extremely despicable. No one should be permitted to take law into their own hands and the rule of law has to prevail. Majesty of law must be upheld at all costs.”
The Court directed the Superintendent of Police and local police authorities to provide adequate police protection, including lady constables where necessary, to ensure that the Court’s earlier orders are executed in its letter and spirit. The Court directed that if the Additional Special Receiver and the plaintiff identify the new location to which the allegedly counterfeit goods have been shifted, the police must extend the same protection and assistance for executing the Court’s orders at that location as well.
It further ordered that protection be extended free of cost for the entire duration of the execution exercise and directed the Superintendent of Police to initiate action under law regarding the alleged assault and submit a report to the Court.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on June 24, 2026.
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