‘I pray that you...’: Mother Manju Lodha makes gut-wrenching plea as billionaire sons Abhishek, Abhinandan Lodha wage family war

The battle between the two real estate giants, Abhishek and Abhinandan Lodha has taken a dramatic turn. Manju Lodha, the mother of the two warring brothers, has appealed to her sons to put an end to their legal disputes and honour the family agreement signed in March 2017.

The Lodha brothers, scions of the influential real estate family, are locked in a contentious legal battle over the use of the 'Lodha' trademark and the division of family assets. The dispute, currently in the process of mediation, has pitted Abhishek Lodha, head of Macrotech Developers, against his younger brother, Abhinandan Lodha, chairman of the House of Abhinandan Lodha.

In a heartfelt and emotional letter dated February 21, and which only came to light on Thursday, Manju Lodha implored her two sons to cease hostilities.

"I request you to stop all your disputes immediately," she wrote, emphasising that both brothers had already agreed to a structured division of assets outlined in the 2017 family agreement, reported PTI which has a copy of Manju Lodha's letter.

Reiterating the terms of the agreement, she made it clear that neither brother had any claim over the other's business, assets, or shareholding.

"You have no right against each other's business or shareholding. Neither of you have to give anything to each other. You will not interfere in any manner with each other's business. Bring an end to all your disputes, respect each other and try to help each other," she urged.

In an emotional reflection, Manju Lodha recalled her sons’ childhood, highlighting their close bond and appealing to their shared history.

"I pray that both of you bring an end to your dispute and focus your energy on growing your respective businesses and taking care of your family."

Legal Showdown Between the Lodha Brothers

The family discord escalated into a full-blown legal battle after Macrotech Developers, where Abhishek Lodha serves as Managing Director, filed a ₹5000-crore lawsuit against the House of Abhinandan Lodha. The suit alleges that Abhinandan’s firm unlawfully used the ‘Lodha’ brand name, despite the 2017 agreement specifying that the real estate business and its associated intellectual property, including the trade name ‘Lodha’, belonged exclusively to Macrotech Developers.

The House of Abhinandan Lodha operates under Lodha Ventures, a company Abhinandan founded after his departure from Macrotech Developers.

Brothers React to Mother's Plea

Abhishek Lodha responded to his mother’s appeal with a conciliatory yet firm stance, stating that he respects her wishes and will abide by the agreement.

"The 2017 agreement clearly states that the Lodha real estate business and its IPR, including the trade name ‘Lodha,’ is owned by Macrotech Developers. I wish my younger brother, Abhinandan, all success in his business. I hope he resolves this dispute by adhering to the agreement and establishes a distinct identity that does not create confusion with our recognised and valuable brand name," he said.

On the other hand, Abhinandan Lodha’s spokesperson criticised the public circulation of the letter, calling it an attempt to manipulate the narrative.

"It is indeed disappointing that a letter from a mother to her children is being shared beyond the immediate family for ulterior motives. However, Mr. Abhinandan Lodha firmly believes that family matters should be resolved privately, which is why he has maintained a dignified silence for over a decade. He hopes his family honours all commitments made to him," the statement, which was shared with PTI, read.

Mediation Underway

The Bombay High Court has intervened, appointing former Supreme Court Justice R V Raveendran as a mediator. Both brothers agreed to mediation on January 31, and the court has set a five-week timeline for the proceedings. The legal battle has also drawn attention due to the Lodha family’s political influence, with their father, Mangal Prabhat Lodha, serving as a BJP leader and Maharashtra cabinet minister.