Pune: Chitale vs Chitale Legal Battle Over Bakarwadi Brand Misuse

Pune: A crispy, deep-fried, disc-shaped snack, bakarwadi, popular across Maharashtra and Gujarat, has sparked a legal dispute between two unrelated Chitale families in the city.

Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale, which introduced bakarwadi in 1976 and made it a beloved tea-time snack, has accused Chitale Sweet Home of misusing its brand credentials to sell the savory. Police have registered a case of cheating and false marking against Pramod Prabhakar Chitale, proprietor of Chitale Sweet Home, following a complaint from Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale. Charges under the Information Technology Act have also been invoked.

Indranil Chitale, managing partner of Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale, stated that customers had complained about substandard bakarwadi products bearing their brand name, customer care numbers, and email IDs. Investigations revealed that Chitale Sweet Home was selling counterfeit products online, misleading buyers into believing they were purchasing authentic Chitale Bandhu snacks.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone I) Sandeep Singh Gill confirmed that the accused exploited customer confusion, with complaints about taste discrepancies. Despite legal notices, Chitale Sweet Home continued the alleged misuse, forcing Chitale Bandhu to file an FIR. The case has been transferred to Pune Police’s Economic Offenses Wing for further investigation.

Meanwhile, Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale has strengthened its vigilance team to curb counterfeit products. Media teams found Chitale Sweet Home outlets either shut or under renovation, with workers refusing to comment.