The former frontman as well as the co-founder of the popular indie alternative rock band The Local Train, Raman Negi, has filed a commercial suit at the Delhi High Court, alleging unauthorised exploitation of his copyrighted works. Negi further claims denial of royalties and trademark rights.
Negi filed the suit seeking protection and enforcement of his statutory rights under the Copyright Act, 1957. This mentions his rights as an author, composer, and performer. It also claims his trademark, goodwill and proprietary rights.
The next hearing for the case, which has been taken up by Justice Tejas Karia, is in March 2026.
Prior to the formation of the band, Negi had authored and composed several original songs that were key to the band’s foundation, as claims Negi. He claims that he was the sole author behind the lyrics of as many as 15 songs that comprised albums like Aalas Ka Pedh (2015) and Vaaqif (2018). Negi also mentions that he was the sole composer of 5 songs, including Choo Lo and Aaoge Tum Kabhi, two of their greatest hits.
Raman Negi Claims 100% Ownership For His Independent Compositions
Negi has categorised his works into three groups for better understanding:
- Independently owned literary works and select musical compositions in which he claims 100% ownership
- Jointly authored musical compositions where he claims 50% shares; and
- Jointly produced sound recordings and audio-visual works, where he asserts no less than one-fourth.
Negi claims that instead of following up with him on his demands, the band continued to exploit Negi’s copyrighted works across digital platforms, withheld royalty information and revenues, and shifted funds without transparency.
Raman Negi even claimed that in August 2022, when he was still part of The Local Train, one of the defendants filed a trademark application in their own name. As per Negi, the retirment deed sought to deprive him of all present and future royalty and proprietary rights, and hence he rejected it. Instead, Negi issued a legal notice in December 2024 demanding work-wise and source-wise revenue details.
Following failed negotiations, Negi initiated pre-litigation mediation before the Delhi High Court Mediation and Conciliation Centre in March 2025. The mediation proceedings were eventually closed as “not settled” in September 2025, following which he instituted the present suit.
The band has not made any official statements regarding the matter.
This legal dispute brings copyright ownership, royalties, and contractual clarity within India’s independent music ecosystem into sharp focus. While The Local Train has confirmed they will be making a comeback, Raman Negi continues to tour. His recent March 2025 “Chaltey Purzay” tour dates included performances at grand venues like NMACC and Royal Enfield Motoverse.
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