Delhi HC Restrains Vivek Bindra's Bada Business From Using Dr. Lal PathLabs Founder's Name

The Delhi High Court has issued a restraining order against motivational speaker Vivek Bindra and his company Bada Business, prohibiting them from asserting any connection between Dr. Arvind Lal, the founder of Dr. Lal PathLabs, and their business ventures.

In an interim order dated May 20, Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani directed Bindra and Bada Business to immediately cease and desist from using Dr. Lal's name, photograph, or likeness in association with their business activities.

"..upon a prima-facie view of the matter, the defendants are directed to forthwith cease and desist from using the name or photograph or likeness of the plaintiff in connection with the defendants’ business in any manner whatsoever," the Single-Judge Bench said. 

The Court directed the defendants to remove all advertisements, promotional materials, and statements from their website and social media platforms that suggest any connection between Dr. Lal and their business. "The defendants are also directed to forthwith delete and take-down all advertisements /promotional material/statements/brochures etc., whether in writing or in pictorial form, from their website and from all their social media handles that claim or suggest any connection between the plaintiff and any of the defendants in any manner whatsoever. Let the needful be done within 1 week," the Court ordered. 

The ex parte interim order was issued in response to a Suit filed by Dr. Arvind Lal against Bindra, seeking a declaration that he has no contractual relationship with Bindra or his company. Dr. Lal alleged that the defendants were unlawfully using his name, likeness, and reputation to promote their business endeavors, particularly their entrepreneurship course titled 'Bada Business - An Initiative by Dr. Vivek Bindra'.

According to Dr. Lal, Bindra and Bada Business falsely represented him as one of their 'Bada Business Professors' who would deliver lectures for their one-year diploma course in entrepreneurship conducted in collaboration with GLA University in Mathura. The Plaintiff asserted that his name was being exploited for commercial gain without his consent, with Bindra's company using his case study as an example and promoting him as a faculty member for their business course.

Dr. Lal clarified to the Court that while he had participated in one webinar hosted by Bada Business upon invitation, he had no ongoing involvement with the defendants' business activities. Despite this, his name continued to be associated with Bada Business promotions, causing reputational damage and misleading the public.

Taking cognizance of Dr. Lal's claims, the Court issued the injunction order to prevent further misuse of his name and reputation by Bindra and Bada Business. 

The Court further ordered, "The plaintiff is directed to comply with the provision of Order XXXIX Rule 3 CPC, within 03 days." Accordingly, the Court scheduled the matter for further consideration on August 2. 

Cause Title: Dr. Arvind Lal v. Bada Business Pvt. Ltd. and Ors. 

Appearance:-

Plaintiff: Advocates Mumtaz Bhalla, Tabish Samdani

Click here to read/download the Order