New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has ordered the e-commerce platform Meesho to take down listings of allegedly counterfeit sunscreen products of Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., granting interim relief in a plea filed by the pharmaceutical company.
Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani passed an ex-parte interim order directing Meesho to remove specific URLs of products claimed to be fake versions of Sun Pharma’s Belo Photostable and Photostable Gold sunscreens. The court also issued notices to Meesho and the manufacturers named in the petition, seeking their responses.
Sun Pharma told the court that none of its genuine sunscreen products are available or sold on Meesho. Despite this, the platform allegedly hosts counterfeit versions bearing its brand names. The company submitted a list of URLs of the disputed listings and argued that the sale of such unlicensed and fake products risks damaging its brand reputation and the consumer trust it has built over many years.
The pharmaceutical major further contended that Meesho, as an e-commerce marketplace, bears liability to ensure counterfeit goods are not sold on its platform and must promptly take down such listings upon being notified. The court took note of the list provided by Sun Pharma and ordered the immediate removal of the identified URLs.
The order comes amid growing concerns over counterfeit products on online marketplaces in India. Sun Pharma’s plea highlights questions about the extent of intermediary liability for e-commerce platforms regarding third-party sellers offering allegedly fake pharmaceutical and personal-care items. Consumer safety and brand protection issues were also raised in the submissions.
Reports in regional media, including Esakal, similarly noted the court’s directive requiring Meesho to delist the alleged counterfeit Sun Pharmaceuticals sunscreen products and advised online shoppers to exercise caution when purchasing health and beauty items.
Market observers, including the X account @Sharemarketinf, described the development as potentially negative for near-term sentiment around Meesho, citing concerns related to counterfeit-product compliance and marketplace oversight, while noting that legal proceedings remain ongoing.
As of the latest available reports, Meesho and the manufacturers have been issued notices and are expected to file their responses. The matter is set for further hearing. No final determination has been made on the allegations of counterfeiting, and the interim order is limited to the takedown of the specified listings pending further proceedings.
