Brands
Himalaya Men & BharatBenz kick-start festive season with Chennaiyin FC
MUMBAI: ESP Properties has enabled key deals for ISL’s Chennaiyin FC by roping in BharatBenz and Himalaya Men as jersey sponsors. Through this deal, BharatBenz comes on board with an ISL team for the first time and Himalaya Men continues their path breaking campaign of – Pimple Story.
After the successful collaboration of Himalaya Men and IPL (with RCB team), ESP Properties has continued Himalaya’s Pimple story campaign with PKL (with Patna Pirates team) and now ISL (with Chennaiyin FC team). As an activation, for the first 2 matches of Chennaiyin FC during ISL 2016, the back of jersey would have ‘Pimple’ written on it and from 3rd match onwards, it’s going to change to ‘Himalaya Men.’ A key idea which was implemented through a unique sports marketing led campaign than vanilla advertisements!
For BharatBenz, it would be their first foray into sports sponsorships. They have crafted a unique campaign to spread their ‘Safety First initiative’ roping the kids who accompany the players to the field at the start of the game.
ESP Properties business head Vinit Karnik said, “The strategy is being seen as a move to leverage ISL as a platform to target Himalaya’s and BharatBenz’s key consumers by associating with the Chennaiyin FC. ISL marks the beginning of the festive season in India where brands are looking to increase their share of voice need clutter breaking and engaging platform to occupy consumer mind space.”
Chennaiyin FC co-owner Vita Dani said, “We are delighted to welcome Himalaya Men as the Co-Sponsor of Chennaiyin FC.”
Himalaya Men’s Ashwani Gandhi said, “Sports lends itself as a perfect platform for us to connect with our TG, the youth. After fruitful associations with IPL and PKL, we are hoping to continue our success run by associating with the Chennaiyin FC.”
“Chennaiyin FC, the club is young, dynamic and a powerful force in the league – just like what BharatBenz is in the commercial vehicle segment. We also share a strong affinity with Chennai being our home ground,” added BharatBenz, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles general marketing manager Apar Bansal.
Brands
Maharashtra panel orders Lodha to refund Rs 5 crore to homebuyers
Consumer court flags unfair practices in long-running property dispute case
MUMBAI: In a sharp rebuke to one of India’s biggest real estate players, the Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Macrotech Developers to refund nearly Rs 5 crore to a senior citizen couple, Uttam and Anindita Chatterjee. The ruling, delivered on March 13, 2026, calls out the developer for “deficiency in service” and “unfair trade practices”, bringing closure to a dispute that has stretched over a decade.
The case traces back to 2015, when the couple booked a 3-BHK flat at World Towers in Lower Parel for Rs 12.22 crore, with possession promised within a year. What followed was a series of changes that complicated matters. After deciding to exit the project, they were persuaded to shift to a 4-BHK in another development priced at Rs 8 crore, with delivery scheduled for 2018. However, within months, the price was allegedly increased to Rs 10 crore. After demonetisation reshaped the market, similar flats were reportedly being offered at lower prices, but the couple were not given the benefit.
Despite paying over Rs 2.83 crore, the couple neither received possession nor clarity. Instead, in 2018, the developer unilaterally cancelled the booking, retained part of the amount as earnest money, and argued that the buyers were investors rather than consumers. The commission rejected this claim, observing that casual references to “investment” do not take away consumer rights when the purchase intent is residential.
The bench also held that the developer could not penalise buyers for payment delays while failing to meet its own delivery commitments. It noted the lack of formal documentation for revised terms and termed the prolonged retention of funds without delivering a home as exploitative.
As part of its order, the commission directed the developer to refund Rs 2.83 crore paid by the couple, along with interest at 10 per cent per annum, amounting to around Rs 2.12 crore. In addition, Rs 1 lakh has been awarded for mental agony and Rs 50,000 towards litigation costs, taking the total payout to over Rs 5 crore. The developer has been asked to comply within two months.
For now, the ruling serves as a reminder that in real estate, shifting terms and delayed promises can carry a significant cost.
