Bombay High Court Dismisses PIL Claiming Prada Copied Kolhapuri Chappal Design
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Wednesday rejected a public interest litigation (PIL) that sought action against Italian luxury brand Prada for allegedly showcasing sandals resembling the traditional Kolhapuri chappal at Milan Fashion Week. The PIL, filed by six Pune-based lawyers, claimed that Prada’s “toe-ring sandals,” priced at approximately Rs 1 lakh per pair, were strikingly similar to the culturally significant Maharashtrian footwear.
The petition argued that the Kolhapuri chappal, a traditional craft protected by a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, was misrepresented by Prada’s design, which was presented without proper authorization or acknowledgment of its Indian origins. The lawyers named the Prada Group and several Maharashtra government bodies as respondents, seeking a court order to prevent Prada from selling the sandals and demanding a public apology from the brand for drawing inspiration from the traditional design.
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A bench led by Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne dismissed the PIL, questioning the legal standing of the petitioners. The court noted that the advocates were neither the registered proprietors nor the owners of the Kolhapuri chappal GI tag, stating, “You are not the owner of this Kolhapuri chappal. What is your locus, and what is the public interest?” The bench emphasized that only the registered proprietor of the GI tag could pursue legal action in this matter. The court dismissed the plea and announced that a detailed order would follow.
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The controversy arose after Prada unveiled its Spring/Summer 2026 men’s collection, featuring the disputed sandals. The PIL highlighted the cultural importance of the Kolhapuri chappal, describing it as a symbol of Maharashtra’s heritage and craftsmanship.
