Aicon gallery dispute erupts into assault accusations and arrest claims
Harry Hutchison, who co-owns Aicon Art with Prajit Dutta, accused Projjal Dutta and his Aicon Contemporary gallery of assault.
Law and Crime
The legal battle surrounding galleries run by two brothers who are separately fighting in court over the Aicon name has escalated into a second lawsuit, with dueling court filings accusing rival gallery operators of assault after a confrontation that led to an arrest.
Harry Hutchison, who co-owns Aicon Art with Prajit Dutta, the brother of Aicon Contemporary owner Projjal Dutta, filed a lawsuit in October 2025 in New York State Supreme Court in Brooklyn, accusing Projjal of assaulting him at the Manhattan building where both businesses operate.
The Dutta brothers were once equal owners of Aicon Gallery, a legacy business that operated for years from the address. Aicon Gallery remains the prime tenant at the Great Jones Street location, even after the brothers split and formed separate entities.
Projjal denies the allegations and, in court filings responding to the complaint, accuses Hutchison of attacking him and making false statements to police that led to Projjal’s arrest days after the incident.
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Court Documents: Hutchison v. Dutta Assault Lawsuit
Records from the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Kings County.
Adam Schrader
The dispute centers on events both sides said occurred on April 11, 2025, inside a building at 35 Great Jones Street in Manhattan, where their gallery businesses share workspace.
In his complaint, Hutchison said he was lawfully present on the second floor of the building when he was “accosted” by Projjal. Hutchison alleged he was “assaulted, beaten and battered” and suffered severe and permanent injuries.
Hutchison alleged that the injuries left him with pain, shock and mental anguish and that he incurred medical expenses and was unable to carry out his normal activities.
His lawsuit also named Projjal’s gallery Aicon Contemporary as a defendant, claiming it bears liability because the alleged conduct was connected to his role as the gallery owner. He seeks unspecified punitive damages.
Projjal’s answer to the complaint denies the allegations and sets out a sharply different account of the same encounter.
According to Projjal, Hutchison intentionally advanced toward him “in a threatening manner” before allegedly shoving him. Projjal said Hutchison’s alleged actions caused him injuries and emotional distress.
The filing also said Hutchison made statements to the New York City Police Department that led to a police report and his arrest three days later. Projjal accused Hutchison of making false statements in that police report. Urgent Matter has reached out to the NYPD for confirmation and further information about the arrest.
Brothers’ Aicon Gallery lawsuit expands with forgery claims
Projjal Dutta and his Aicon Contemporary gallery sued his brother Prajit Dutta and his gallery, Aicon Art, in October over the Aicon name.
Adam Schrader
Dutta was arraigned the following day in New York County Criminal Court on a charge of third-degree assault.
The criminal case was adjourned in contemplation of dismissal on June 13, 2025, without conditions, according to the filing. A search of New York criminal court records by Urgent Matter did not return any cases for Projjal Dutta.
Projjal also alleged Hutchison brought the lawsuit with the intent to harm him and discourage him from continuing the separate Aicon-on-Aicon lawsuit.
Follow along with other lawsuits at Urgent Matter's art lawsuit tracker.
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