Pulwama, Jan 29 (KNO): The Court of the Principal District Judge (PDJ), Pulwama, has issued summons to Aakash Coaching Institute, Rajbagh (Srinagar) after taking cognisance of a defamation suit filed by Solace International School, Pulwama, over alleged misrepresentation of academic credit.
According to court records, the dispute pertains to the Class 10 Board topper of the Kashmir Division, who secured a perfect 100 per cent score in the 2024–25 examinations. The plaintiff school has alleged that Aakash Institute falsely claimed academic credit for the student’s achievement, despite having no role whatsoever in the student’s Class 10 preparation.
The suit, as accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), states that the student was a regular, full-time student of Solace International School throughout the academic session and achieved the historic result under the exclusive academic guidance and mentoring of Solace faculty.
It has further been asserted that the student joined Aakash Institute only after the declaration of the Class 10 results, strictly for Class 11 coaching, thereby ruling out any contribution by the institute towards the board examination performance.
Solace International School has accused Aakash Institute Rajbagh of indulging in academic piracy, misrepresentation, unfair trade practices, and deliberate damage to institutional reputation, allegedly to mislead parents, students, and the general public for commercial gain.
"Such actions have caused serious harm to the goodwill and credibility of the Pulwama-based institution, which has been functioning in the education sector for several years," the suit claims.
In its plea, Solace International School has sought Rs 10 crore as damages for reputational and commercial loss, a permanent injunction restraining Aakash Institute from making false or misleading academic claims, a public apology and clarification to be issued through print media and social media platforms.
The school has also informed the court that a legal notice dated January 16, 2026, was served upon the defendant earlier. However, alleged non-compliance and failure to issue a correction compelled the institution to approach the court.
The case is currently pending adjudication before the Principal District Judge, Pulwama, and further proceedings are awaited—(KNO)