‘KASHMYR’ trademark dispute: Interim relief for Radico Khaitan as HC stays injunction by Piccadily

The Punjab and Haryana High Court today granted an interim relief to Radico Khaitan in the ongoing ‘KASHMYR’ trademark dispute with rival Piccadilly Agro Ltd, as the court stayed the injunction order passed against it on September 23. Recognising the merit in arguments presented by Radico, and acknowledging issues related to jurisdiction and the lack of evidence of sales in Haryana, the court also allowed the liquor major to continue its business under ‘The Spirit of KASHMYR’ trademark. The case has been scheduled for the next hearing on November 13, 2025.

In a major legal development in the spirits industry, Piccadily Agro had secured an interim injunction against Radico Khaitan over the trademark infringement case. Radico Khaitan had challenged the injunction order dated September 23, 2025, before the Punjab and Haryana HC, arguing the suit filed against it was not maintainable in Karnal, as the company neither manufactures nor sells in Haryana and holds no excise licence there. Radico also maintained that its use of the trademark ‘The Spirit of KASHMYR’ is "legitimate and distinct".

"The court took cognisance of the key issues raised by Radico, including jurisdiction, the lack of evidence of sales in Haryana, and questions around the plaintiff’s prior use of the mark. Recognising the merit in these arguments, the court directed both parties to file their submissions, setting the stage for a detailed legal examination rather than accepting the plaintiff’s claims at the interim stage," said Radico.

Significantly, the court kept the operation of the injunction order in abeyance until the next hearing on November 13, 2025, which allows Radico to continue its business, subject to maintaining fortnightly sales records. "This interim relief is a strong positive outcome for the company, ensuring business continuity while the matter is fully heard," says the company.

What are the allegations levelled by Piccadily?

Piccadily had earlier said that to protect its IP and rights, it approached the district court, Karnal, which had upheld its rights on September 23, 2025, and granted an interim injunction restraining Radico Khaitan and its affiliates from manufacturing — selling, advertising, promoting, or otherwise using the mark “KASHMYR” — or anything deceptively similar trademarks “CASHMIR/CASHMERE, until final adjudication of the matter. The court’s interim order also restrained the defendant from using deceptively similar marks like “CASHMIR” and “CASHMERE”.

According to Piccadily, it registered the trademark “CASHMERE” in 2015 for a luxury vodka product and subsequently secured registrations in overseas territories. In 2023, the company also registered the trademark “CASHMIR”, with a slight change in spelling. Following this, the company launched its first luxury vodka under the brand “CASHMIR” on May 23, 2025. However, it alleged that after its launch, Radico Khaitan launched a vodka under the brand 'KASHMYR," in the same category at a similar price point.