Whose Topper Is It Anyway? Coaching Centres Fight Over JEE Topper

Sarvesh Mehtani is claimed by at least two coaching institutes in his hometown Chandigarh.

Chandigarh boy Sarvesh Mehtani is this year’s JEE topper. (Photo Courtesy: Twitter Screengrab/BoringMe2Death)

Amidst the fuss over board results and tough college admission cut-offs comes the case of IIT JEE Advanced-2017 topper Sarvesh Mehtani, who is being claimed by at least two coaching institutes in his hometown Chandigarh.

Hindustan Times reported that a district court in Chandigarh has furnished a notification to the city’s Sri Chaitanya Educational Institute (SCEI) for apparently taking credit for the success of many toppers this season, including Mehtani, who was tutored by its competitor Lakshya Institute. Moreover, SCEI has been accused of using Lakshya Institute’s trademark and trade name.

Also Read: JEE Advanced 2017: Chandigarh Boy Sarvesh Mehtani All India Topper

Sarvesh has been studying in Lakshya for the past four years. After the JEE exam, four of our teachers had joined Chaitanya. On this pretext, it is taking credit for Sarvesh’s success.

Amandeep, Centre Manager, Local Branch, SCEI to <i>Hindustan Times</i>

The advertisement, published on 28 May, featured the photographs of those four teachers. The petition stated that these profiles were coupled with Lakshya Institute’s results for 2014, 2015 and 2016. The HT report quoted the petition as saying:

Defendant has been wrongfully and deceptively using the plaintiff’s trademark and trade name to make an unlawful and illegitimate gain at the plaintiff’s expense. Therefore, injunction be granted.

The court has directed the defendant SCEI to respond by 16 June.