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New Delhi: In the bustling gastronomic landscape of India’s capital, two iconic restaurant chains, Moti Mahal and Daryaganj, are locked in a spicy legal battle for the culinary crown over the invention of the iconic Indian dishes, butter chicken and dal makhani, has reached the halls of the Delhi High Court. Moti Mahal and Daryaganj restaurants are currently locked in a legal tussle over the use of the tagline “Inventor of Butter Chicken and Dal Makhani”.
Moti Mahal stakes its claim on the basis that its founder, Kundal Lal Gujral, is the original creator of these beloved dishes, which have since penetrated international borders and gained global recognition as quintessential Indian cuisine. As per Moti Mahal’s rendition, Gujral created the butter chicken recipe as a simple method of rehydrating undercooked tandoori chicken by dipping it in a rich, buttery sauce.
Moti Mahal has sued the owners of the Daryaganj restaurant, alleging they are misleading the public by suggesting a connection between the two establishments.
On the other side of the table, Daryaganj argues that the credit for these culinary creations should be given to Kundal Lal Jaggi, and in the process dismisses the lawsuit as baseless. Justice Sanjeev Narula, presiding over this serious dispute, has ordered Daryaganj to file a written reply within a month.
The historical ties to pre-Partition India make the origins of these dishes more complex. Reportedly, the predecessors of both parties once operated a joint venture in Peshawar, Pakistan, before the split that led to their separate ways. As both sides prepare to present their case in the next hearing on May 29, the cuisine is steeped in intrigue and the verdict will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the legacy of Indian culinary history.
