India, July 5 -- The controversy over Italian luxury fashion house Prada showcasing footwear "inspired" by Kolhapuri Chappals at the recent Milan Fashion Week has taken a legal turn.

A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Bombay High Court, accusing Prada of cultural appropriation as the 'Toe Ring Sandals/Leather Flat Sandals' it had showcased on June 22 were near-identical to the traditional, handcrafted footwear made by artisans in Kolhapur, in Maharashtra.

Among other things, the petition has sought a public apology from Prada, and compensation for the artisans engaged in the craft.

The petition, filed by Prof Adv Ganesh S Hingmire, alleges that the product's "genuine origin, traditional custodianship and Geographi...