Historic Victory for Krishi Jagran: Saket Court Dismisses Jagran Prakashan’s Trademark Suit Against Krishi Jagran, Imposes ₹10 Lakh Costs

In a landmark judgment reinforcing the principles of free expression, fair competition, and prior trademark use, the Saket District Court, New Delhi, has dismissed the trademark infringement and passing off suit filed by Jagran Prakashan Limited against India’s leading agricultural media platform, Krishi Jagran.

Delivering a strong rebuke to what the Court described as “unnecessary and protracted litigation,” District Judge Arul Varma not only vacated the interim injunction imposed in 2020 but also directed Jagran Prakashan to pay costs of ₹10 lakh to Krishi Jagran.

The judgment marks a historic legal victory not just for Krishi Jagran, but for the larger farming and agricultural community that the publication has served tirelessly for nearly three decades.

Why This Judgment Matters for the Farming Community

This landmark judgment safeguards the voice of independent agricultural media and ensures that platforms dedicated to informing and empowering farmers cannot be silenced through monopolistic legal actions. It reinforces the right of the farming community to access diverse, credible, and uninterrupted agricultural journalism.

Court Rejects Attempt to Monopolise Common Word “Jagran”

The Court categorically held that a proprietor cannot monopolise a commonly used word through trademark registration when another entity has demonstrated prior and continuous use.

In a powerful observation, the Court noted that accepting such arguments would create absurd consequences across the publishing industry. Drawing an analogy with the word “Times,” the Court remarked that publications such as The Times of India, Hindustan Times, and Navbharat Times could not possibly be forced out merely because one entity claimed exclusivity over a common expression.

The Court further observed that the litigation appeared to be an attempt to “extirpate a competitor by means contrary to law” and cautioned against using trademark law as a tool to suppress legitimate and long-standing publications.

Krishi Jagran’s 30-Year Legacy Recognised by the Court

Founded in September 1996 under the leadership of M.C. Dominic, Krishi Jagran has emerged as one of India’s most respected agricultural media institutions. Over the last 30 years, it has consistently empowered farmers with knowledge, policy awareness, agri-market intelligence, rural success stories, and technological advancements in agriculture.

Today, Krishi Jagran reaches millions of farmers across India through print, digital, and social media platforms in 12 Indian languages.

Importantly, the Court acknowledged that Krishi Jagran’s use of the mark predated Jagran Prakashan’s trademark application for “JAGRAN,” which was filed only in December 2004.

A Lawsuit Despite 15 Years of Association

One of the most striking aspects highlighted during the proceedings was that Jagran Prakashan had been fully aware of Krishi Jagran’s existence and operations for over 15 years before initiating the lawsuit in 2019.

In fact, Jagran Prakashan had previously associated with Krishi Jagran as a media partner, making the subsequent legal action even more questionable in the eyes of the Court.

Despite this longstanding knowledge and association, Krishi Jagran was dragged into years of costly litigation and subjected to an interim injunction in 2020 that impacted its operations and branding.

The Court’s dismissal now completely vindicates Krishi Jagran’s position as the legitimate prior user of the mark.

Victory for Independent Media Serving Farmers

This judgment is being viewed as a significant moment for independent and sector-focused journalism in India, especially within agriculture and rural media.

By standing firmly against trademark overreach and monopolistic practices, the Court has reaffirmed that established institutions serving public interest cannot be silenced through aggressive litigation tactics.

For Krishi Jagran, the verdict restores not only its legal rights but also strengthens its unwavering mission of serving India’s farmers with integrity, transparency, and commitment.

Statement from Krishi Jagran

“We dedicate this victory to the farmers of India, the agricultural community, our partners, supporters, and countless well-wishers who stood by us throughout this journey. For nearly three decades, Krishi Jagran has remained committed to amplifying the voices of farmers and strengthening Indian agriculture through credible journalism and meaningful engagement.

We sincerely thank the Hon’ble Court for upholding justice and reaffirming the principles of fair competition, free expression, and prior use. This judgment is not merely a legal victory for Krishi Jagran - it is a victory for every independent platform working tirelessly for the welfare and empowerment of the farming community.”

About Krishi Jagran

Krishi Jagran is one of India’s leading agricultural media houses, founded by M.C. Dominic in 1996. Through multilingual print publications, digital platforms, events, and on-ground farmer engagement initiatives, Krishi Jagran continues to serve and empower the agricultural community across India.