The Delhi High Court has taken decisive action to protect the reputation of the prominent law firm Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. by issuing a sweeping John Doe order. This ruling, delivered by Justice Mini Pushkarna, targets anonymous entities who have been exploiting the firm’s name, logo, and the image of its Executive Chairman, Dr. Shardul S. Shroff, to send fraudulent legal notices and demand money from unsuspecting individuals.
John Doe orders, known for their broad scope, are often utilized in cases of intellectual property infringement, where the perpetrators are difficult to identify. This particular order, passed on August 7, bars any further unauthorized use of the firm’s trademarks, names, and likenesses of its partners and members.
In a significant move, the Court directed Google to block the fake email IDs used in these scams and to provide associated phone numbers. Additionally, the Central government has been instructed to facilitate the blocking of these phone numbers to prevent further misuse.
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas has been granted permission to issue a public notice, warning the general public about the false communications being circulated by unknown parties. This step aims to safeguard the firm’s goodwill and prevent any further damage to its reputation.
The law firm approached the court after discovering that these malicious actors were using its name and Dr. Shroff’s image to deceive people, a scheme that poses a significant threat to the firm’s standing in the legal community. The Court acknowledged the potential involvement of a larger network of individuals in these illegal activities, prompting this robust legal response.
In court, Senior Advocate Jayant Mehta and advocate Dushyant Manocha represented Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co., ensuring the firm’s interests were fiercely defended.
