Jharkhand High Court: Civil Judges Can Hear Trademark Suits Valued ₹3 Lakh–₹1 Crore

The Jharkhand High Court held that Civil Judges (Senior Division) designated as Commercial Courts have jurisdiction to try trademark infringement suits valued between ₹3 lakh and ₹1 crore.

A Bench of Chief Justice Chauhan and Justice Sujit Prasad allowed the appeal filed by M/s Khemka Food Products Pvt. Ltd. over the use of the mark “Grihasti Bhog.”

The Court clarified that Civil Judges (Senior Division) hold original jurisdiction as per a notification, while District Judges function as Commercial Appellate Courts. It quashed the trial court’s July 2024 order and restored the suit for trial.

[M/s Khemka Food Products Pvt. Ltd. v I.S.D.S. Private Limited and others]