New photographic and video evidence promise to add an extra kick to the ongoing Indian court dispute regarding the origins of the globally renowned butter chicken dish.
Since January, two Indian restaurant chains have been locked in a legal battle at the Delhi High Court, each asserting ownership of the creation of the dish. This lawsuit has captured the interest of social media users, food critics, editorials, and TV channels worldwide.
The renowned Moti Mahal restaurant chain insisted that it held exclusive rights as the originator of the curry and called upon its competitor, the Daryaganj chain, to cease laying claim to its creation and to compensate $240,000 for damages. Moti Mahal asserted that its founder, Kundan Lal Gujral, crafted the dish laden with cream during the 1930s at an establishment in Peshawar, which is now part of Pakistan, before subsequently moving to Delhi.
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Daryaganj stated in a fresh, 642-page counter-filing that the “narrative surrounding the invention of butter chicken lacks credibility” and is designed to deceive the court.
Daryaganj claims that Kundan Lal Jaggi, a late member of its founding family, created the disputed dish while he was leading the kitchen at the relocated Delhi restaurant. His friend and partner from Peshawar, Gujral, was only responsible for marketing.
Both men have passed away, with Gujral dying in 1997 and Jaggi in 2018.
Evidence in the non-public filing includes a black-and-white photograph from the 1930s showing the two friends in Peshawar, a 1949 partnership agreement, Jaggi’s business card from after his relocation to Delhi, and a 2017 video of Jaggi discussing the dish’s origin.
Due to the partnership between the friends, “both parties can claim that their respective ancestors created the dishes,” Daryaganj states in the filing, describing the dispute as a “business rivalry.”
Moti Mahal declined to comment. The judge is scheduled to hear the case next on May 29.
A central issue the court must resolve is where, when, and by whom the dish was first created—whether it was by Gujral in Peshawar, Jaggi in New Delhi, or if both should be credited.
Butter chicken is ranked 43rd on TasteAtlas‘s list of the world’s “best dishes,” and brand experts note that claiming its invention carries significant bragging rights.
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“Being recognised as a creator brings significant benefits and increases customer attractiveness. “It also allows you to charge more,” said Dilip Cherian, an image consultant and co-founder of the Indian public relations firm Perfect Relations.
Moti Mahal operates a franchise model with more than 100 outlets worldwide. Their butter chicken dishes are priced at $8 in New Delhi and $23 in New York.
Former U.S. President Richard Nixon and India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru are among the notable patrons who have visited its flagship outlet in Delhi.
Established in 2019, Daryaganj offers its butter chicken at a price of $7.50. With 10 outlets primarily located in New Delhi, the brand intends to broaden its presence to other cities across India as well as Bangkok.
Within its 2,752-page Indian lawsuit, Moti Mahal also alleged that Daryaganj had replicated “the look and feel” of its outlet interiors.
Daryaganj has countered with photographs of restaurant interiors for the judge’s review, asserting that it is Moti Mahal that has replicated its “design of floor tiles.”
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