Allahabad High Court Grants Interim Protection In ‘Aaj Tak’ Logo Misuse FIR, Says Matter Requires Consideration

The Allahabad High Court recently granted interim protection from arrest to journalist Maneesha Thakur in a case concerning the alleged misuse of the “Aaj Tak” logo. The matter arose after an FIR was lodged at Mathura’s Highway Police Station under Sections 318(4) and 319 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita along with Sections 66-C and 66-D of the Information Technology Act.

The complainant alleged that the logo “Aaj Tak News Bharat” used by the petitioner deceptively resembled that of the well-known news channel “Aaj Tak.” A Division Bench comprising Justice Rajeev Misra and Justice Padam Narain Mishra observed that the matter required consideration and granted interim relief restraining the police from arresting the petitioner until further orders.

Counsel for the petitioner argued that copyright registration had already been obtained for the logo “Aaj Tak News Bharat” and therefore allegations of infringement were unsustainable. Reliance was also placed on the landmark judgment in State of Haryana v. Bhajan Lal to contend that the FIR deserved to be quashed.

While the State opposed the plea, the Court noted that the prosecution could not effectively rebut the petitioner’s submissions at this stage. The matter is now listed for further hearing on August 4, 2026.