Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Atul Kumar, an 18-year-old Dalit student from Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, left the Supreme Court with a smile today after the court ordered IIT Dhanbad to admit him to its electrical engineering course. A bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud invoked its extraordinary powers to provide him a seat after financial difficulties almost caused him to lose his spot.
Atul’s Struggle to Save His IIT Seat
Atul, who hails from a below-poverty-line family, cleared the highly competitive Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) earlier this year. However, his father, a daily wage laborer earning ₹450 per day, couldn’t arrange the ₹17,500 needed to secure his admission. Despite his best efforts to collect the funds from villagers, Atul missed the deadline to block his seat.
Desperate to save his hard-earned opportunity, Atul sought help from the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, but they were unable to assist. He then approached the Jharkhand State Legal Services Authority, as he had taken the JEE exam at a center in Jharkhand. The legal services authority advised him to approach the Madras High Court, as IIT Madras had conducted the JEE. Ultimately, Atul found relief when the case reached the Supreme Court.
Supreme Court Steps In to Help
The Supreme Court, in its ruling, stated that Atul’s seat could not be taken away solely due to financial constraints. The court used its extraordinary powers under Article 142 to direct IIT Dhanbad to admit Atul without displacing any other student, creating a supernumerary seat for him.
Chief Justice Chandrachud emphasized that the system should not allow such talent to go to waste. “He is a Dalit boy, and he is being made to run from pillar to post,” the bench remarked.
Atul’s Determination and Hope
After the court’s decision, Atul expressed his joy and relief. “The train that had derailed is back on track now,” he said, smiling. “I will work hard and become an electrical engineer from IIT Dhanbad,” he added, hopeful for his future.
The Chief Justice wished him well, saying, “All the best. Achha kariye!”
