Supreme Court Directs IIT Dhanbad To Admit Dalit Student Who Missed Admission Fee Deadline, Says, “We Cannot Allow Such a Young Talented Boy to Go Away”
On September 30, 2024 (Monday), the Supreme Court (SC) of India was hearing a plea filed by an 18-year-old Dalit student, Atul Kumar, who lost his admission to the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Dhanbad because he missed the deadline for payment of admission fee Rs. 17,500. The matter was heard by a three-judge bench constituting Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra. The bench relieved the Dalit student and directed the IIT seat allocation authority to admit him to the seat at the electronics engineering programme at IIT- Dhanbad that was allotted to him, recognizing his remarkable potential and the hardships endured due to financial constraints. While ordering the IIT to admit the student, CJI said, “We cannot allow such a young talented boy to go away. He cannot be left in lurch. He went to Jharkhand Legal Services Authority. Then to Chennai Legal Services Authority and then he is sent to High Court. He is a Dalit boy being made to run from pillar to post.”
During the proceedings, the counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the student’s father earns Rs. 450 daily and the task of arranging Rs. 17,500 is a big deal. The CJI said, “The only thing that stopped him from paying was the inability to pay and as the Supreme Court of India, we need to see that.” He added, “We are affirmatively of the view that a talented student like the petitioner should not be left in the lurch. The power of the Court under Article 142 of the Constitution to do complete justice is to address such situations.” Furthermore, the counsel appearing for the IIT Seat Allocation Authority opposed the plea stating that the petitioner was informed to make payment on the date of the mock interview which was before the last date of submitting the fee. After hearing the contention, Justice Pardiwala said, “Why are you opposing so much? You should see if something could be done.”
The SC bench said, “We are of the view that a talented student like the petitioner who belongs to a marginalized group who did all to secure admission should not be left out... we direct that candidate is granted admission to IIT Dhanbad and let him be in the same batch to which he would have been granted admission if the fee would have been paid.” After passing the order, the CJI told the Dalit student, who was present at the Supreme Court, “All the best! Achha kariye.” Hearing this, a relieved Atul Kumar said, “I have been provided with the seat. I am very happy. The court said my seat could not be snatched away solely due to a financial problem. The train that had derailed is back on track now.” The petitioner’s lawyer told the SC bench that many senior lawyers offered to sponsor his fees.
