In a recent development, an FIR has been lodged at Padav Police Station in Gwalior against unknown individuals who were responsible for pasting posters featuring Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The posters, which displayed a QR code and the logo of fintech company PhonePe, allegedly carried a message implying that work could be expedited in exchange for a 50 percent commission. A complaint was filed by a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker, claiming defamation of his party’s reputation.
As a result, a case has been registered against an unknown person, and an investigation is currently underway, stated Rajesh Singh Chandel, the Superintendent of Police (SP) in Gwalior. Similar posters were found in various locations across Madhya Pradesh, including Chindwara, Rewa, Satna, and the state capital, Bhopal. Local authorities promptly removed these posters upon discovery. PhonePe, a popular digital payment platform, swiftly responded to the incident by expressing its objection to the unauthorized usage of its brand logo.
The company clarified that it is not associated with any political campaign or party. Furthermore, PhonePe emphasized that its logo is a registered trademark and warned that any infringement on its intellectual property rights would result in legal action. Via their official Twitter handle, PhonePe reached out to the Madhya Pradesh Congress, requesting the removal of posters and banners featuring their brand logo and color. They stressed that the unauthorized usage of their logo, whether by political or non-political entities, is unacceptable.
The involvement of PhonePe’s logo in these political posters has raised concerns and prompted both legal action and investigations. Authorities are determined to identify the culprits responsible for defaming the BJP and misusing PhonePe’s intellectual property. As the investigation continues, political parties and individuals are reminded of the importance of respecting trademark rights and seeking proper authorization for the use of logos and intellectual property belonging to others.