Supreme Court Intervenes to Secure IIT Seat for Dalit Youth

The Supreme Court directed IIT Dhanbad to admit a Dalit youth, Atul Kumar, who missed the admission fee deadline by 15 minutes, citing his social and economic background. The Court emphasized the need for 'complete justice', invoking Article 142 of the Constitution, and ensured he receives all consequential benefits.

The Supreme Court has come to the aid of Atul Kumar, a Dalit youth who lost his IIT Dhanbad seat due to a missed fee deadline by a few minutes. On Monday, Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, along with justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, invoked Article 142 of the Constitution to ensure the youth secures his admission in the Electrical Engineering course.

Despite objections from the IIT Seat Allocation Authority, which highlighted that multiple reminders were sent and the student had logged in much earlier on the application system, the Court stressed the importance of considering the student's economic and social background. The court underscored that Kumar, the son of a daily wager from a below poverty line family, should not be deprived of education due to financial constraints.

Chief Justice Chandrachud emphasized that talented students from marginalized sections should not be left in lurch and directed IIT Dhanbad to admit Kumar in the current BTech batch, along with hostel accommodations. The Court criticized the procedural hurdles Kumar faced, highlighting the need for a humane approach in such cases.