The story of Atul Kumar, Dalit student who will be admitted to IIT Dhanbad after SC order
Atul Kumar, a Dalit student from Uttar Pradesh, cracked the difficult JEE entrance exam in his last attempt and was allotted a seat in Electronics Engineering at IIT Dhanbad. However, the 18-year-old missed the admissions after he failed to pay the fee of Rs 17,500 in time. The Supreme Court intervened in the matter and used its powers to ask the institute to grant him access
When he left the Supreme Court on Monday, Atul Kumar was beaming.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud used its extraordinary powers to ask the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Dhanbad to admit Kumar to its Electrical Engineering course.
The young man reportedly missed his chance to be admitted to the esteemed institute since he failed to pay the required amount of Rs 17,500 in time.
Here’s all we know about him.
Who is Atul Kumar?
Atul Kumar is a Dalit youth from Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar.
He cracked the difficult entrance exam to the country’s one of the most prestigious Engineering courses this year.
The 18-year-old hails from a family below the poverty line and his father, Rajendra Kumar, is a daily-wage labourer who earns Rs 450 daily.
More from ExplainersAtul is the youngest of Rajendra’s four sons, all excelling academically.
The father somehow arranged the Rs 17,500 fee amount for the Electrical Engineering course at IIT Dhanbad, which was allotted to his son. However, the portal server stopped responding.
Subsequently, Kumar sprinted between pillars to preserve his well-earned spot.
When he first went to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, however, the panel told him it couldn't assist.
He approached the Jharkhand State Legal Services Authority because he had taken the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) at a Jharkhand centre. The legal services body advised him to approach the Madras High Court since IIT Madras had administered JEE this time.
The High Court, however, declared that it lacked jurisdiction over the relief that Kumar had sought.
He then approached the Supreme Court.
Also read: Why IIT grads are forced to say yes to Rs 33,000 a month salaries
What did the SC say?
The bench led by CJI Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra on September 25 issued a notice to the joint seat allocation authority (IIT admissions) at IIT Madras.
On Monday, the counsel appearing for the IIT authority said that Kumar was informed about the requisite payment on the mock interview date itself.
The court noted that the deadline to deposit fees was 5 pm on June 24.
“The parents arranged the funds by 4.45 pm, the petitioner states he was logged in at 4.45 pm at the portal, the portal was closed at 5 and payment was not processed.”
Justice Pardiwala told the counsel, “Why are you opposing so much? You should see if something could be done.”
Kumar’s counsel told the bench that this was his last chance to secure admission, as only two attempts are permissible.
Justice Pardiwala asked the authority’s counsel if the seat allotment intimation slip was on record "because you have said that the seat allotment intimation slip instructed for the payment of Rs 17,500.”
“So everything was in order. If he had deposited the Rs 17,500 before the scheduled time, you would have proceeded to admit him or not?” he said.
The authority’s counsel said the slip was not on record but added, “Even if he (Kumar) had pushed one button, we would have given him one day more…”
The CJI then said, “He is such a bright student. Look at his log sheets. It is no way he would not press the button… The only thing which stopped him was the inability to pop up Rs 17,500. And as judges of the SC, we should ensure that no child loses admission because they don’t have Rs 17,500.”
“He went to Jharkhand Legal Services Authority. Then he is (sent) to Chennai legal services and then to the High Court. He is a Dalit boy, he is being made to run from pillar to post,” the bench said.
“We are of the view that a talented student should not be left in the lurch. We direct that admission be granted to him in IIT Dhanbad.”
The petitioner’s counsel said Kumar’s father earns Rs 450 daily. “The task of arranging Rs 17,500 is a big deal. He collected money from villagers.”
The top court used its extraordinary powers under Article 142 to ask IIT Dhanbad to grant admission to the 18-year-old in the same batch.
“No existing student be disturbed and let a supernumerary seat be created for the candidate,” the bench said.
The court added Kumar would be entitled to all consequential benefits, including hostel allotment.
“All the best! Achha kariye! (do well),” the CJI told Kumar, as his lawyer informed the bench that senior advocates had decided to pay his fee, as per the Indian Express.
After the hearing, Kumar said, “My life is now back on track… The CJI did great, he said that financial constraints should not pose a hurdle in one’s progress. He said that I have a bright future and it should not be impacted.”
“I have no words to describe the immense joy I am feeling. Trust me, I can’t express even one per cent of the happiness I am feeling. Everyone is delighted,” said Kumar’s father, as per another report by the outlet.
With inputs from agencies
Military drones & police check-ups: How Sri Lanka is fighting against worst dengue outbreak in a decade
How Facebook job ad lured 2 Karnataka men into Myanmar cyber scam camp
Why is India seeing 95% cloud cover despite a Super El Niño?
What is CJP’s fourth demand to the government as protests in Delhi intensify?
The new geography of war: Why the Houthis can no longer be ignored