IIT Delhi Moves HC Over DMRC Renaming Metro Station After FIITJEE
The IIT has sought directions to DMRC against using its name with FIITJEE, claiming it is tarnishing its image.
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The Delhi High Court on Sunday, 27 May, sought the response of the DMRC on a plea by the IIT against coupling of its name with that of coaching centre FIITJEE at the metro station near the engineering institute.
Justice Rajiv Shakdher, before whom the matter came up for hearing, has issued notice to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and FIIT-JEE and sought their stands on the IIT's plea that the 'co-branding' has misled people to think that both have partnered together, reported PTI.
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in its plea has sought directions to the Delhi metro to not use its name in conjunction with that of FIITJEE, claiming it is tarnishing the image of the premier engineering institute.
The institute, in its plea, has said that due to the coupling of the names, it has been receiving queries and complaints from aspiring candidates, parents and even alumni, asking if FIIT-JEE was the 'official' coaching partner for those aspiring to gain entrance to IIT.
Speaking to The Indian Express, IIT-D director Ramgopal Rao said that though the station was built within the campus, it was going to be renamed after FIITJEE, a private coaching institute.
He added that the administration was intimated of the change only after the sign board was put up by the DMRC. They then approached the DMRC, who said that since a contract had been drawn up, nothing could be done.
The DMRC in fact also suggested that the IIT compensate FIITJEE should it be breached.
When the daily approached the DMRC for a comment, spokesperson Anuj Dayal refrained to comment, stating that the matter was now sub-judice.
The Delhi metro has been since 2014 auctioning naming rights of several of its stations to generate revenue.
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