The Delhi High Court has streamlined proceedings in a copyright dispute between EBC Publishing and Rupa Publications, opting for a pragmatic route after an ex parte injunction was challenged. Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora accepted the parties’ joint request to consolidate pleadings and referred the matter to mediation, noting that a negotiated resolution would serve both sides better while the Court continues with procedural steps. The case will return for hearing in December after the mediation exercise.

Legal Issue

Whether the defendant’s application under Order XXXIX Rule 4 CPC seeking vacation of an ex parte interim injunction in a commercial intellectual property dispute should be allowed, and whether the matter could be referred for mediation pending completion of pleadings.

Brief Facts

The plaintiffs, EBC Publishing Pvt. Ltd. and another, initiated a commercial suit against Rupa Publications India Pvt. Ltd. seeking protection of their intellectual property rights. On 25 September 2025, the Court granted an ex parte interim injunction in their favour. Rupa Publications later moved I.A. 27499/2025 under Order XXXIX Rule 4 CPC, asking for the injunction to be vacated and stating that it had already filed its written statement and was ready to contest the matter on merits. To avoid procedural delays, both sides agreed that this application would be treated as a reply to the plaintiffs’ injunction application (I.A. 24282/2025). The counsels also jointly expressed their willingness to refer the dispute to the Delhi High Court Mediation and Conciliation Centre to explore settlement.

Court’s Reasoning

The Court accepted the counsels’ joint request to treat the pleadings in I.A. 27499/2025 and I.A. 24282/2025 as consolidated replies and rejoinders, noting that this approach would conserve judicial time and allow the matter to move forward efficiently. It directed both parties to file brief written notes of arguments, capped at three pages, at least three days before the next hearing. With the parties’ consent, the Court also cancelled the appearance before the Joint Registrar scheduled for 26 February 2026 and advanced the matter for hearing on 17 December 2025. Since both counsels expressed willingness to explore settlement, the Court recorded their statements and referred the dispute to the Delhi High Court Mediation and Conciliation Centre.

Judgment 

The Court formally referred the dispute to the Delhi High Court Mediation and Conciliation Centre for an attempt at amicable settlement and directed that a Senior Mediator be appointed to handle the process. At the same time, it made clear that the parties must continue completing their pleadings, including admissions and denials of documents, regardless of the ongoing mediation. The Court also directed that a copy of its order be forwarded to the Organizing Secretary of the Mediation Centre to ensure the necessary steps were taken.

Subsequent Development

The order promotes judicial efficiency through consensual mediation in commercial IP disputes and emphasizes procedural cooperation between parties during pendency of interim relief. The case is scheduled for hearing on 17 December 2025 after mediation proceedings.

To Read the full judgment, click here

Case Title: EBC Publishing (P) Ltd. & Anr. v. Rupa Publications India Pvt. Ltd.

Case No. - CS(COMM) 1034/2025

Bench: Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora

Date of Decision: 6 November 2025