The lawsuit sought a permanent injunction, damages, rendition of accounts, and ancillary reliefs for trademark infringement, passing off, and unfair competition.
Akasa Air claimed that the defendants approached members of the public via phone and email, falsely identifying themselves as agents or employees of the company and offering job opportunities.
It further alleged that the defendants requested payment of ‘process fees’ under the false pretence of recruitment.
In order to deceive job seekers, the defendants were also using Akasa Air's registered trademarks, such as ‘AKASA’ and ‘AKASA AIR’, as well as deceptively similar marks, including ‘AKASHA’ and ‘AKAASA’, and registered infringing domain names.
The court determined that there is a prima facie case in favour of SNV Aviation (Akasa Air) based on the evidence presented, Bar and Bench reported.
"The court, upon consideration of the material on record, is of the opinion that a prima facie case is made out in favour of the plaintiff (SNV Aviation/ Akasa Air). The acts of the infringing defendants in approaching unwary members of the public, falsely representing that they are offering employment on behalf of the Plaintiff, and demanding 'process fees' for such employment, when the Plaintiff admittedly follows no such practice clearly amounts to misrepresentation, deception, and passing off," it said.
“The injunction is also necessary to protect the interests of the general public who are being ensnared by the infringing defendants. Accordingly, this court finds it just and necessary to grant an injunction restraining the defendants from continuing such fraudulent activities,” it added.
On December 22, the court barred several entities from using the airline's trademarks or any identical or deceptively similar marks in any way. It further directed the suspension and locking of specified domain names, disclosure of KYC details and blocking of mobile numbers belonging to the alleged impersonators, and blocking of specified UPI IDs and bank accounts.
The case has been scheduled for hearings before the Joint Registrar on February 3, 2026, and the court on May 22, 2026.
