Reliance Industries Ltd moves Bombay High Court to halt release of Carry On Jatta 4
The upcoming Punjabi film Carry On Jatta 4 has landed in legal trouble ahead of its scheduled theatrical release on June 26, 2026. Reliance Industries Ltd. has approached the Bombay High Court seeking to restrain the release of the much-awaited comedy entertainer.
As per the article, the matter reportedly arises from a contractual dispute linked to a tripartite arrangement involving Reliance Industries Ltd., Panorama Studios International Ltd. and Humble Motion Pictures. The dispute has now reached the court, with Reliance seeking urgent protection in connection with the film’s rights and release.
The matter came up before Justice Abhay Ahuja, who permitted Reliance to correct certain procedural defects in its commercial plaint. The court also granted Reliance liberty to approach the Vacation Court for appropriate relief.
Reliance, sought a status quo order, expressing apprehension that the defendants could create third-party rights over the property. On the other hand, Panorama Studios, opposed the request for status quo. It argued that third-party rights had already been created before Reliance moved its application before the court.
With the film’s release date already announced, the legal proceedings could become crucial in determining whether Carry On Jatta 4 faces any delay or hurdle before its theatrical arrival.
Delhi High Court Restrains Google From Using Hindware Trademark As Ad Keyword, Awards INR 30 Lakh
The Delhi High Court has permanently restrained Google LLC and Google India from using the registered trademark “HINDWARE” as advertising keywords, holding that Google could not avoid responsibility for enabling infringement through its keyword advertising tools.
Justice Mini Pushkarna, in a judgment also directed Google LLC and Google India to jointly pay ₹30 lakh as nominal damages to Hindware Limited.
Hindware had filed two suits after discovering that competitors Grohe and Cera had purchased “HINDWARE” and related keyword combinations on Google’s advertising platform, causing sponsored links for rival brands to appear when users searched for terms such as “Hindware Sanitaryware”, “Hindware Sanitary” and “Hindware Sanitary Ware India.” Grohe, Cera and Omkara Infoweb later settled with Hindware, leaving Google as the contesting defendant.
Rejecting Google’s defence that it merely “reserved” keywords and that any trademark use was attributable solely to advertisers, the court found that Google actively suggested trademarked terms through its Keyword Planner Tool, conducted keyword auctions, and earned revenue when users clicked sponsored links triggered by those keywords.
On whether keyword bidding amounted to trademark use, the court held that use of a registered mark to trigger advertisements amounted to use in advertising even if the trademark did not visibly appear in the advertisement itself.
The decree restrains Google from using “HINDWARE”, “HINDWARE SANITARYWARE”, “HINDWARE SANITARY”, “HINDWARE SANITARYWARE INDIA”, or any combination thereof, as advertising keywords or in any other infringing manner.
Read order here.
Delhi High Court upholds TRAI’s 12-minute TV advertisements cap for Broadcasters
The Division Bench of Delhi High Court has upheld the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) regulatory framework restricting television broadcasters to a maximum of 12 minutes of advertisements per clock hour, dismissing challenges mounted by broadcasters against the cap.
The broadcasters argued that the framework violated Articles 14 and 19 of the Constitution by interfering with their programming autonomy and limiting their ability to optimise advertising revenue. Rejecting these contentions, the Court held that the dispute primarily concerned commercial interests protected under Article 19(1)(g) rather than the freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a).
The Bench emphasised that Article 19(1)(g) does not guarantee profitability or an unrestricted right to monetise public resources. It observed that reasonable regulatory limits may be imposed in the larger public interest, particularly where public resources are involved.
The Court further held that the 12-minute cap is a content-neutral, time-based regulation that governs only the duration of advertisements and does not restrict programme content. Referring to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997, and the 2004 notification extending TRAI’s jurisdiction to broadcasting and cable services, the Court ruled that TRAI’s powers under Sections 11 and 36 encompass quality-of-service standards, including measures aimed at improving viewer experience.
Rejecting the argument that TRAI’s authority is confined to technical and interconnection issues, the Court found that the regulations were intended to curb excessive commercial interruptions, prevent clustering of advertisements, and ensure a more balanced viewing experience for consumers.
The judgment also underscored the public character of spectrum and airwaves, describing them as scarce public resources held in trust by the State. The Court held that their regulation must serve the common good and prevent excessive commercial exploitation. It observed that disproportionate advertising intrusions directly impair consumers’ right to a fair and reasonable viewing experience.
On the challenge under Article 14, the Court held that the distinction drawn between programme content and advertising time was reasonable and bore a rational nexus to the objective of preventing over-commercialisation and protecting consumer interests.
Read order here.
Court denies relief on Cockroach Janata Party’s X account, seeks review of block order
The Delhi High Court on 29th May, 2026 sought responses from the Union government and X on a plea filed by Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke challenging the blocking of the party’s X account, while observing that the matter would require detailed consideration and declining to grant immediate relief. The petition was heard by Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav.
The Court said restoration of the account could be considered only after hearing the Union government, observing that the matter involved larger concerns.
The Bench also said it would consider whether X could be asked to place the blocking order on record after the Union of India files a detailed reply. Directing that the response be filed within four weeks, the Court listed the matter for hearing on July 6.
In the meantime, the Court directed that the blocking order be reviewed. Referring to the applicable rules, it noted that a review committee is required to meet once every two months and has the authority to examine all aspects connected with such an order.
The Court also recorded that Dipke is not in India and said he may seek permission from the review committee to appear through video conferencing.
Supreme Court Allows Vinesh Phogat to Participate in Asian Games Selection Trials
The Supreme Court granted significant relief to Olympian wrestler Vinesh Phogat by permitting her to participate in the selection trials for the 2026 Asian Games, while declining to stay an earlier order of the Delhi High Court that had allowed her participation.
A Bench comprising Justice P.S. Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe was hearing a challenge filed by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) against the Delhi High Court’s decision. Refusing to interfere at the interim stage, the Court observed that preventing Phogat from competing after the High Court had already granted relief would be unjustified. The Bench remarked that Phogat had “made the nation proud” through her sporting achievements and stated that it would not be appropriate to deny her the opportunity to participate in the trials at this stage.
The dispute arose after the WFI excluded Phogat from the Asian Games selection process on the ground that she did not satisfy the eligibility requirements, citing her prolonged absence from competitive wrestling during her maternity break. Challenging the exclusion, Phogat approached the Delhi High Court, which on May 22 directed the WFI to allow her to participate in the trials scheduled for May 30 and 31. The High Court also directed that the trials be video-recorded and conducted in the presence of independent observers from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to ensure transparency.
While allowing Phogat to compete, the Supreme Court expressed reservations regarding the manner in which the High Court had dealt with certain aspects of the matter and indicated that the legal issues raised by the WFI would be examined at a later stage. The Court, however, made it clear that the wrestler would not be prevented from participating in the ongoing selection process pending adjudication of the dispute.
The ruling clears the way for Phogat’s return to competitive wrestling as she seeks qualification for the 2026 Asian Games and continues her pursuit of a place at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Peddi makers withdraw plea for hike in Telanana HC; Andhra Pradesh special show permitted with tickets priced at ₹600
Buchi Babu Sana’s Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor-starrer Peddi is finally hitting screens on June 4. The sports drama is one of the most-awaited films in Telugu, and the filmmakers requested permission to hike ticket prices and arrange special shows in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. However, they only received permission to do so in AP.
The makers of Peddi approached the AP government, requesting permission to hike ticket prices and arrange for special shows. Permission for the same has now been granted. Premiere shows for Peddi in the state will begin on June 3 at 8 PM. Tickets for the same will be priced at ₹600, including GST. Additionally, the makers have also been allowed to hike single-screen tickets by ₹100 and multiplex tickets by ₹125 for the first week of Peddi’s release. Permission has also been granted to run five shows per day, which will boost the film’s opening week collections.
A Deccan Chronicle report states that the vacation bench of the Telangana High Court was not inclined to direct the government to take a decision on the proposed ticket price hike for Peddi. Mythri Movie Makers filed the petition requesting hikes in the first week of the film’s release. It was submitted that several cases relating to ticket hikes were already pending in the HC, and urgent orders could create confusion. As the court wasn’t inclined to issue an interim order in their favour, the makers reportedly withdrew their plea.
Delhi High Court passes Orders In Personality Rights Suit Of Actor Varun Dhawan
The Delhi High Court has issued an interim order in favor of Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan to protect his personality rights. Justice Jyoti Singh directed the removal of offending links tied to defendants allegedly involved in the unlicensed sale of merchandise, the creation of deepfake content, and the circulation of pornographic material misusing the actor’s likeness.
The Objectionable material in question included AI-generated content, counterfeit merchandise listings, deepfakes, and explicit material bearing the actor’s image without his knowledge or authorization.
Dhawan’s petition targets both unnamed individuals and several identified defendants, seeking to bar them from exploiting his personal attributes. This included photographs and other identifying traits without his consent. The suit also challenges those leveraging his public persona for commercial gain, particularly through the unauthorized sale of merchandise bearing his name or image.
Read order here.
Offshore Betting Advertisements Surge Despite Ban on Online Money Games: ASCI
Despite India’s tightening regulatory framework against online money games, offshore betting advertisements continue to proliferate across digital platforms, highlighting the growing challenge of enforcing domestic laws in an increasingly borderless online ecosystem.
According to the latest annual report of the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), offshore betting advertisements constituted 72.14% of all advertising violations flagged during FY26, making them the single largest category of non-compliant advertisements.
The surge comes despite the enactment of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act (PROGA) in August 2025, which prohibits online money games and their promotion. ASCI’s data indicates that enforcement efforts have had limited impact on offshore operators. In the eight months preceding PROGA’s implementation, ASCI recorded an average of 594 offshore betting advertisements per month. In the four months following the law’s enactment, the figure increased significantly to 795 advertisements per month.
Overall, ASCI identified and escalated 7,927 offshore betting advertisements during 2025, including 6,933 advertisements monitored between April and December. The findings suggest that while domestic operators face heightened regulatory scrutiny, offshore platforms continue to target Indian consumers through social media campaigns, affiliate marketing networks, influencer endorsements, and frequently changing web domains that complicate enforcement efforts.
Digital media remains the primary source of violations. ASCI reported that 97.3% of all advertisements scrutinised during FY26 originated online, with sponsored social media content accounting for a substantial portion of the breaches.
Influencer marketing has emerged as a particularly significant concern. During the year, ASCI reviewed 1,609 influencer advertisements and found that nearly 97% required modification for non-compliance with advertising guidelines. More than half of these violations related to restricted categories, including illegal betting promotions. Between April and December 2025 alone, the regulator flagged 854 influencer-related violations, with several accounts reportedly devoted almost entirely to promoting offshore betting platforms.
Beyond betting-related promotions, ASCI reviewed 11,581 cases during FY26 which showed a 21% increase over the previous year, while the number of advertisements scrutinised rose by 37% to 9,841. Violations were identified across sectors including real estate, healthcare, personal care, food and beverages, and consumer electronics.
Commenting on the findings, ASCI Chairman Sudhanshu Vats observed that the digital advertising landscape is becoming increasingly complex, with misleading claims and influencer-driven promotions creating new risks for consumers. The report underscores the continuing challenge for regulators in curbing illegal betting advertisements that originate and operate beyond India’s borders.
Vashu Bhagnani Files ₹400 Crore Suit Against Tips and David Dhawan Over Song Rights Dispute
A major copyright dispute has emerged in the Hindi film industry after producer Vashu Bhagnani’s production house, Pooja Entertainment, filed a ₹400 crore suit before the Bombay High Court against Tips Industries, its promoters Ramesh and Kumar Taurani, and filmmaker David Dhawan. The lawsuit relates to the alleged unauthorised use of songs from the 1999 film Biwi No. 1 in the upcoming film Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, starring Varun Dhawan, Pooja Hegde and Mrunal Thakur.
The dispute centres around two popular songs from Biwi No. 1 i.e., Chunnari Chunnari and Ishq Sona Hai, which have reportedly been recreated and incorporated into Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai. Pooja Entertainment claims that while certain audio rights may have been assigned in the past, it continues to hold the digital and video rights in the songs. According to Bhagnani, the use of the tracks in the new film without obtaining the requisite permissions amounts to infringement of its intellectual property rights.
Apart from seeking damages of ₹400 crore, the suit reportedly seeks urgent reliefs, including restraint orders against the exploitation of the disputed songs and cancellation or suspension of the film’s release if the alleged infringement is not addressed. The film is currently scheduled for theatrical release on June 5, 2026.
Tips Industries and the makers of the film have strongly denied the allegations. They maintain that they are the lawful owners of the music rights and have described Bhagnani’s claims as baseless. The film’s team has further alleged that the legal action is an attempt to create controversy around the project shortly before its release.
Interestingly, both Biwi No. 1 and Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai have been directed by David Dhawan, making the dispute particularly notable within the industry. The case highlights the increasing legal complexities surrounding ownership, licensing and reuse of legacy film music in remakes, recreations and contemporary Bollywood productions. The outcome of the proceedings is likely to have wider implications for music licensing practices and copyright enforcement in the entertainment industry.
Delhi High Court Grants Interim Protection to Naga Chaitanya in Personality Rights Suit
The Delhi High Court has granted interim protection to Telugu actor Naga Chaitanya in a personality rights suit filed against various unidentified entities and digital platforms allegedly misusing his name, image, likeness and identity across the internet. The Court passed the order while hearing the actor’s plea seeking protection against the unauthorised commercial exploitation of his persona through AI-generated content, deepfakes, defamatory material, explicit content and unauthorised merchandise.
In his suit, Chaitanya alleged widespread misuse of his personality attributes on websites, social media platforms and online marketplaces. The actor contended that several entities were using his name and likeness to drive traffic, generate revenue and create misleading associations without his consent. The plea also highlighted the circulation of AI-generated and deepfake content, including material that allegedly portrayed him in objectionable and defamatory contexts, causing harm to his reputation and goodwill.
The matter also reportedly involved online content linking the actor to allegations concerning his personal life, including claims relating to his separation from actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu. Chaitanya submitted that the continued dissemination of such content, alongside manipulated and misleading material, was unfairly damaging his public image and amounted to a violation of his personality and publicity rights.
Taking note of the allegations, the Delhi High Court issued summons in the suit and granted interim relief in favour of the actor. The Court restrained the unauthorised use and commercial exploitation of Chaitanya’s personality rights and directed the concerned entities to remove or disable access to infringing content identified by him.
Read order here.
