Indian Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has alleged that the country’s leading ethnic retailer, Fabindia is marketing its factory-made products under the appearance of Khadi. The Indian Khadi body has filed a case in this regard at the Bombay High Court seeking damages of Rs. 525 crore.
Reportedly, the law firm representing KVIC has asked Fabindia to compensate for the loss suffered, as the ethnic retailer used ‘Khadi’ trademark and Khadi mark in its products. However, when a leading media house tried to contact Fabindia on the said matter, the company refused to comment on the same citing that it will be too premature to comment without any substantial information.
Markedly, KVIC claims that they tested samples from Fabindia’s products which revealed that the factory-made clothes that the latter was selling in the name of Khadi originally did not belong to the specified brand. The Khadi body further stresses that despite continuous assurance by Fabindia to stop using Khadi’s name and style, they’re still doing it which is unethical.
It is pertinent to mention here that Fabindia is trying to resolve this matter since the last three years but KVIC did not give them the authorisation to retail Khadi brand, as they failed to meet the procedural criteria. Though the Khadi body gave permission to Indian textile companies like Raymond and Arvind Mills for authorised use of the Khadi trademark.
Vinai Kumar Saxena, KVIC Chairman said that the authority is constantly looking to promote and protect the reputation of the organisation and it will always take strict actions against those who try to violate the rules that are set for the betterment of the rural craftsmen related to it.
