Origin of Butter Chicken Called Into Question by Court Case in India

Origin of Butter Chicken , Called Into Question , by Court Case in India.

Reuters reports that the origin of butter chicken, one of India's most iconic dishes, has come under scrutiny with two Indian restaurant chains battling in court.

In the lawsuit, Moti Mahal, a Delhi-based restaurant brand, claims the restaurant's founder created the famed curry dish in the 1930s.

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In the lawsuit, Moti Mahal, a Delhi-based restaurant brand, claims the restaurant's founder created the famed curry dish in the 1930s.

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According to the lawsuit, founder Kundan Lal Gujral first made the dish when the original restaurant opened in Peshawar before moving to Delhi.

Moti Mahal has accused rival chain Daryaganj of falsely claiming to have invented that dish and another popular lentil dish, dal makhani.

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The lawsuit also accuses the chain's rival of copying the layout of both the Moti Mahal website and "the look and feel" of its restaurant locations.

The family of the late Moti Mahal founder is reportedly seeking $240,000 in damages.

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You cannot take away somebody's legacy... The dish was invented when our grandfather was in Pakistan, Monish Gujral, Managing director at Moti Mahal, via Reuters.

According to Daryaganj, the chain's late family member, Kundan Lal Jaggi, had partnered with Gujral to invent the recipe at the Delhi Moti Mahal restaurant in 1947.

Daryaganj argues that the decades-old partnership and collaboration in creating the dish gives the rival chain claim to its creation.

Reuters reports that the case has garnered the attention of India's media, prompting segments on the history of the popular dish and debate over its origins on social media.