Supreme Court Helps Atul Kumar Get Admission to IIT Dhanbad
The Supreme Court of India used its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to help Atul Kumar, a talented student from a marginalized group, get admission to IIT Dhanbad.
Background
Atul Kumar, who lives in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, and is the son of a daily wager, cracked the IIT Dhanbad entrance exam. However, he missed the fee payment deadline because he couldn’t arrange the Rs 17,500 admission fee in time. Although he managed to upload the required documents, the online payment cut-off time had expired by 5 pm on June 24, 2024.
Supreme Court’s Decision
A bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, along with justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, decided that a talented student like Atul should not be left out of admission. The court exercised its power under Article 142, which allows it to do ‘complete justice’ in any case, and directed IIT Dhanbad to admit Atul in the same batch he was initially allotted.
Efforts Before Supreme Court
Before approaching the Supreme Court, Atul tried to get help from the District Legal Services Authority in Jharkhand but was advised to move to a competent court in Chennai since the exam was conducted by IIT Madras. Eventually, he was informed that the relief he sought was not possible under Article 226, leading him to seek help from the Supreme Court.
Conclusion
The Supreme Court recognized the importance of not letting Atul’s talent go to waste and ensured that he gets the opportunity he deserves.
Doubts Revealed
Supreme Court -: The Supreme Court is the highest court in India. It makes important decisions that affect the whole country.
IIT Dhanbad -: IIT Dhanbad is a famous engineering college in India. It is one of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), known for their high-quality education.
marginalized group -: A marginalized group is a community that faces social or economic disadvantages. They often do not have the same opportunities as others.
Chief Justice DY Chandrachud -: Chief Justice DY Chandrachud is the head judge of the Supreme Court of India. He leads the court in making important legal decisions.
financial constraints -: Financial constraints mean not having enough money to pay for things. In this case, Atul Kumar couldn’t pay the admission fee on time because of money problems.
local authorities -: Local authorities are government officials in a specific area. They help manage local issues and provide services to the community.
