Supreme Court Grants Relief to Dalit Student Who Missed IIT Admission Fee Deadline

In a landmark judgment that underscores the Supreme Court’s commitment to social justice, a young Dalit studentfrom a Below Poverty Line (BPL) family has been granted relief after losing his admission to IIT Dhanbad due to a delay in fee payment. The student, the son of a daily wage worker, had successfully cleared the prestigious JEE Advanced examination, securing a coveted seat in the Electrical Engineering course at IIT. However, due to the family’s financial hardships, he was unable to submit the online admission fee of Rs 17,500 within the stipulated time. This setback nearly cost him his chance at higher education.

The student’s family, who managed to raise the required amount from villagers just minutes before the deadline, faced an unfortunate delay in completing the online transaction, missing the payment by only a few minutes. In response, the student approached the Supreme Court of India, having already sought help from multiple legal avenues, including the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, the Jharkhand Legal Services Authority, and the Madras High Court.

Recognizing the student’s exceptional talent and the economic difficulties he faced, the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, stepped in to ensure justice was served. The Court ordered that a supernumerary post be created for the student at IIT Dhanbad, allowing him to secure his rightful place without disturbing the admissions of other candidates. In doing so, the Court invoked its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, emphasizing the need to ensure that such deserving students are not denied opportunities due to their financial limitations. The case not only highlights the intersection of education, poverty, and justice but also sets a precedent for protecting the rights of marginalized students in India’s premier educational institutions.

The judgment is particularly significant as it addresses the barriers faced by economically disadvantaged students in accessing higher education, reminding authorities of their responsibility to ensure that talent is nurtured, regardless of socio-economic background. The Court’s intervention has been lauded as a vital step in promoting equal access to education, particularly for students from Scheduled Castes and other marginalized communities.

Background of the Case

• The petitioner, the son of a daily wage worker from Uttar Pradesh, had secured admission to IIT Dhanbad. However, due to a delay of a few minutes in paying the online admission fee, he lost his seat. His family, with limited resources, managed to collect the fee amount through contributions from villagers by 4:45 PM on June 24, but was unable to make the payment before the 5 PM deadline.
• The student had cleared the JEE Advanced in his second and final attempt and approached various legal bodies, including the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, the Jharkhand Legal Services Authority, and the Madras High Court, before finally moving to the Supreme Court.

Court’s Observations and Order

• A bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra expressed their concern over the student’s situation, stating that his social and economic background must be considered. The Court remarked, “We cannot allow such a young talented boy to go away.”
• The Court ordered the creation of a supernumerary post at IIT Dhanbad to accommodate the petitioner, ensuring that no other student’s admission would be impacted.

IIT Seat Allocation Authority’s Argument

• The IIT Seat Allocation Authority, through its counsel, opposed the plea, arguing that the student had logged in by 3 PM on the day of the deadline and had received multiple reminders about the payment. They stated that the delay was not due to a last-minute login.
• The bench, however, was not swayed by this argument. Justice Pardiwala questioned the IIT authority, asking, “Why are you opposing so much? You should see if something could be done.”

Consideration of Economic Hardship

• The petitioner’s counsel highlighted that the student’s father earned Rs 450 per day, making it difficult for the family to arrange Rs 17,500. The family crowdfunded the amount from villagers, but due to the narrow window, the payment was delayed.
• The Court, in its order, acknowledged that the only reason the student failed to make the payment on time was financial inability, emphasizing the need to ensure justice in such situations. CJI Chandrachud stated, “There is no conceivable reason why the petitioner would not have paid the amount if he had the wherewithal.”

Court’s Use of Article 142 for Justice

• The Court invoked its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to do complete justice, stating, “We are affirmatively of the view that a talented student like the petitioner should not be left in the lurch.”
• The Court directed that the student be admitted to the same Electrical Engineering course in the batch he was originally allotted and receive all consequential benefits, including hostel accommodation.

Future Prospects for the Student

• The Court recorded that the petitioner would pay the admission fee of Rs 17,500 in person. Additionally, several senior lawyers have offered to sponsor the student’s further education fees.
• At the conclusion of the hearing, CJI Chandrachud wished the student well, stating, “All the best! Acha kariye!”(Do well!).
• The ruling aligns with a previous judgment from 2021, where a bench led by Justice Chandrachud allowed another Dalit student to secure admission to IIT Bombay despite a similar delay in fee payment (Prince Jaibir Singh v. Union of India).

Case Title : ATUL KUMAR Versus THE CHAIRMAN (JOINT SEAT ALLOCATION AUTHORITY) AND ORS| Writ Petition(s)(Civil) No(s).609/2024