In Brief
A meritorious medical student was denied MBBS admission despite being entitled to a reserved sports seat, solely because the application was processed after the 30 September cut-off date. The High Court awarded compensation instead of directing admission. The Supreme Court held that in exceptional cases—where the candidate is meritorious, bears no fault, pursued relief promptly, and authorities breached rules—courts can direct admission even after the deadline by increasing seats (1-2 only, within one month). Compensation is supplementary, not a substitute. The Court overruled its earlier Jasmine Kaur judgment and affirmed Asha, allowing courts to grant restitutionary relief in rarest circumstances, not merely monetary compensation.
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