Abhishek and Abhinandan Lodha’s mother writes to both sons, asks them to resolve differences

Both brothers have acknowledged the content of the letter

The mother of sparring real estate scions Abhishek Lodha and Abhinandan Lodha has written to both of her sons, asking them to resolve their differences and abide by a 2017 settlement agreement, and not interfere in each others' businesses. In the letter, Manju Lodha said that either brother does not have any rights in the other's business interests, with the final arrangement of their settlement being the 2017 settlement that the brothers signed.

"Your father (Mangal Prabhat Lodha, the BJP politician and Lodha Group founder) and I have discussed at length the claims by both of you with regard to the shareholding/ownership of each other's businesses. The final arrangement within our family was documented in our amended family agreement dated 31st March 2017. We confirm that both of you have no right in any form in the other brother's business or assets or shareholding," the letter from Manju states.

In the letter dated February 21, Manju "directed" the brothers to "not say anything wrong" about each other, and not to "fight" with each other.

Abhishek is the managing director of listed firm Macrotech Developers (earlier Lodha Group), while his younger brother Abhinandan runs the plotted development firm House of Abhinandan Lodha. Abhinandan started his own vertical, Lodha Ventures, after he exited the Lodha Group following the 2017 agreement, which owns House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL) and some other businesses.

In separate statements, both brothers acknowledged the letter's content. While Abhinandan's camp criticised the letter's leak, Abhishek said that he would "abide" by his mother's letter.

"It is indeed disappointing that a letter addressed by a mother to her own children is being shared with people outside the immediate family for ulterior motives and to create a false narrative. Having said that, Abhinandan Lodha continues to believe that family matters should not be settled in public. This is the reason he chose to maintain a dignified silence for over 10 years. He does hope that his family honours all the commitments made to him. Since the issues are under mediation, we would not like to state anything else at this stage," according to a Lodha Ventures spokesperson.

In his statement, Abhishek said that he hoped that his younger brother "implements" the 2017 family settlement.

"I respect my mother’s letter and will abide by it. The 2017 agreement clearly states that the Lodha real estate business and its IPR including trade name “Lodha” is owned by, and will exclusively be used by, Macrotech / Lodha Developers. I wish my younger brother, Abhinandan, all success in his business. I hope that he brings an end to this dispute by implementing the 2017 agreement and starts using a distinct and separate identity which does not lead to any confusion with our highly recognized and valuable brand name - Lodha," Abhishek said.

After years of differences and spats, Abhishek Lodha and Macrotech filed a brand infringement suit in January against Abhinandan Lodha and HoABL, alleging that Abhinandan is using the 'Lodha' brand for his businesses, in violation of the 2017 family settlement. The matter is now in mediation, under retired Supreme Court Justice RV Raveendran.

In arguments before the Bombay High Court, Abhishek and Macrotech's counsel argued that Macrotech's customers had complained of being "confused" due to HoABL's "usage" of the Lodha brand. On the other hand, HoABL's counsels argued that the company has always adhered to the family settlement regarding the brand and has used separate brand identities- Lodha Ventures and HoABL, and usage of the Lodha brand to promote HoABL's projects were done by third parties, for which HoABL should not be held liable.

The Bombay HC bench of Justice Arif S Doctor asked both the sides to head for a time-bound mediation under retired Justice Raveendran, noting that the genesis of the conflict was between two brothers, and mediation is the way to settle the matter, rather than drawn out litigation.