'Despicable': Bombay High Laments 'Assault' On Court Receiver During Execution Of Ex-Parte Order Against Counterfeit Products In Haryana
The Bombay High Court on Friday (May 29) expressed its displeasure over the assault of a court-appointed receiver and the representatives of the Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), who visited Ambala in Haryana for executing a court order for seizing large quantity of counterfeit products.
Sitting in a vacation court, Justice Shreeram Shirsat has now directed the local police authorities to provide ample protection to the receiver and also the representatives of the HUL, who would again visit Haryana to enforce the orders of the court.
"An extremely sorry the state of affairs has been brought to the notice of this Court, wherein on May 21, 2026, while executing the order on November 24, 2025 passed by this Court, the Additional Special Receiver Harshwardhan Joshi, appointed by this court and the representatives of the plaintiff (HUL) were assaulted, with impunity, by one Neeraj Kumar Ahuja, and his accomplices Suresh Bogi Dinesh and Rajesh Choona," Justice Shirsat recorded in the order.
The judge reproduced the excerpts of a report prepared by the Receiver, who pointed out that while they reached Ambala in Haryana for executing the court's orders, initially the police made them run from one police station to the other and finally at the Mahua Kheri Police Chowki, the Police In-Charge Surjit Singh, provided them police protection by providing them one home guard and a constable. This too, was after raising several questions.
Soon after reaching the site, where large number of counterfeit products were being manufactured and stored, the report stated, that the Receiver found a massive inventory of counterfeit products, including Pond's Bright Beauty cream, Pond's Bright Miracle Face Wash, Glow & Lovely Cream, Dove Shampoo and Clinic Plus Shampoo.
"These counterfeit items were present in the form of finished goods as well as bulk packaging materials. The counterfeit goods were identical in appearance ditto-to-ditto similar to the plaintiff's genuine products, bearing the impugned labels, trade dress, artwork and trademarks of the plaintiff," the report stated.
Further, when the Receiver and the private security personnel started loading these products into their truck, two vehicles arrived at the site with several goons coming out of the said cars and assaulting the Receiver, their private security and also the representatives of the HUL.
Irked over this conduct, Justice Shirsat observed, "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 judge further noted that soon after the assault, the goons chased the Receiver in their cars at least mid-point the Ambala-Delhi Highway and then intercepted their vehicles, off-loaded the seized counterfeit products and took them away. All this, the judge noted, happened in the presence of cop Surjit Singh.
Thereafter, when the Receiver contacted the Superintended of Police (SP) Ajit Singh Shekhawat seeking police protection till reaching Delhi, the officer allegedly dismissed their request by stating 'ye nautanki mat karo' (Stop This Drama), and subsequently refused to answer further calls made to the official assistance line, which was "wholly unexpected."
Considering all this brought on record, Justice Shirsat directed the Shekhawat and Singh to ensure that sufficient police protection is provided to the Additional Special Receiver and also to the representatives of the HUL, when they visit the premises to execute the ex-parte interim order passed by the court.
"The SP and the Station House Officer of Mahua Kheri Police Chowki should also ensure that sufficient police protection is granted, including lady police constables who would use reasonable, proportionate force to ensure that the order of this Court is executed in its letters and spirit. The report mentions that the goods have been transferred to some other location by the said persons. In the event the Additional Special Receiver and the Plaintiff are in a position to find out the new location where the goods have been transferred, the necessary protection should be extended for the same," Justice Shirsat ordered.
The police assistance shall be provided without any costs till the entire period when the Additional Special Receiver along with report of this plaintiff, executes the ex-parte ad interim order, the bench made it clear.
"The Superintendent of Police, should also take action under the law with respect to the assault on the Additional Special Receiver and representatives of the Plaintiff on May 21, 2026 and forward a report to this Court about the action taken against the offenders. This Court expect the Station House Officer, Lalit Kumar, ASI Surjit Singh and the SP Ajit Singh Shekhawat to look into the matter with the seriousness it deserves and also ensure that the order dated November 24, 2025 passed by this Court is duly executed under their supervision so that there is no dent caused to the administration of justice," the bench ordered.
The matter has been now posted for further consideration on June 24.
Appearance:
Advocates Hiren Kamod, Niyati Davawala, Anil Shete, Nidhi Rao and Chandrika Devda instructed by Davawala and Co. appeared for HUL.
Case Title: Unilever Plc vs Ashok Kumar [Commercial IP Suit (Lodging) 36456 of 2025)
Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Bom) 272