HC asks DMRC for disclaimer at metro stn that FIIT-JEE is not connected to IIT

The Delhi High Court today asked the DMRC to put up disclaimer notices at a South Delhi metro station and other places that the coaching centre, FIIT-JEE, is in no manner connected to the Indian Institute of Technology.

The court was hearing a plea by the IIT seeking directions to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) not to use its name in conjunction with that of FIIT-JEE for the metro station there, claiming it was tarnishing the image of the premier engineering institute.

Justice Vibhu Bakhru, while disposing of the plea, directed the disclaimer should clearly indicate that FIIT-JEE is not connected with the IIT in any manner and the font and size of the disclaimer should be identical with the font and size in which FIIT-JEE is written at the metro station or any other place where the metro uses the name.

The metro station opposite the IIT is called FIIT-JEE IIT Delhi metro station.

Observing that there cannot be any incorrect representation, the judge also pulled up the DMRC for allowing a deceptive co-branding at its station and said why a disclaimer was not issued at the time of tender in this regard.

When the metro counsel said it had given the rights to an advertising firm which had floated the tender, the court asked "Don't you have control over co-branding or control over the name to be put on your station board?"