Delhi High Court grants Zepto interim relief in suit against phishing websites, trademark infringement

The Delhi High Court recently granted an interim injunction to quick-commerce company Zepto Private Limited in a trademark suit by ordering the takedown of fake websites, social media accounts that were found misusing Zepto's trademarks [Zepto Private Limited & Anr. Vs Owner of Domain Name Zeptonowindia.Com & Ors.]..Zepto claimed that various entities (defendants) were running a fraudulent scheme using its trademarks, brand name and goodwill to mislead the public into paying substantial sums under the guise of securing a Zepto franchise and job opportunities.The fraudulent racket was discovered by Zepto when it received several emails to verify fake domain names, marking those who fraudulently represented themselves as relationship managers from Zepto. Zepto has also filed a police complaint regarding this. It further filed a trademark infringement suit before the Delhi High Court. .On August 26, Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora restrained the defendants from using Zepto’s trademarks for fraudulent recruitment, impersonation, phishing, or offering goods and services. The order will operate till the next date of hearing.“Defendant Nos. 1 to 7 and Defendant No. 19, their directors, officers, partners, proprietors, agents, employees, and all others acting for or on their behalf, are hereby restrained from using the Zepto trademarks, tradename or any other mark identical or deceptively similar to Plaintiff No. 1’s (Zepto) trademarks in connection with fraudulent recruitment, impersonation, phishing, or offering goods and services in any manner leading to infringement of the Plaintiff No.1’s trademarks or passing off their services as that of the Plaintiffs, including but not limited to the use of the name Zepto in email addresses, domain names, job offers, or websites or promotional material,” the Court stated. The next date of hearing is on February 18, 2026. .The Court prima facie opined that the defendants were illegally using Zepto’s trademarks on fake websites and social media posts to create a false association with the company. “Upon a perusal of the documents placed on record and averments made in the plaint, this Court is of the prima facie opinion that Defendant Nos. 1 to 7 as well unknown entities/Defendant No. 19 by illegally using the Plaintiff’s trademarks on their websites/social media pages are trying to create an impression that their websites and social media pages, are connected and associated with the Plaintiffs and/or its officials,” the Court stated. The Court noted that the usage of Zepto’s registered trademark and logo by the defendants on their fake website and fake social media pages prima facie appear to be identically similar. It was noted that if the defendants are not restrained, they would continue deceiving public with fake opportunities.“In view of the aforesaid it is further evident that if Defendant Nos. 1 to 7 as well as unknown entities/Defendant No. 19 are not restrained from infringing Plaintiff’s registered trademark, the said Defendants will continue to engage in fraudulent activities to deceive and entice members of the general public into parting with money under the false promises of jobs, training and partnership,” it observed..The Court further directed the takedown of all trademark-infringing internet domain names.Meta and LinkedIn have been directed to remove fake social media accounts. They were also directed to provide Basic Subscriber Information about to the infringing accounts and URLs within three weeks.The Court further issued directions to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to suspend the mobile numbers and domain names highlighted by Zepto, within 36 hours..Advocates NK Kantawala, Abhishek Dutta, KY Siddharth Vardhman, Amaya Nair, and Nishant Kanatawala appeared for Zepto.Advocate Varun Pathak appeared for Meta.Central Government Standing Counsel Saumya Tandon represented Central government authorities. .[Read order]