Supreme Court Secures IIT Seat for Dalit Student

The Supreme Court of India used its extraordinary powers under Article 142 to direct IIT Dhanbad to admit Atul Kumar, a Dalit student who missed the fee payment deadline due to financial constraints. Atul, the son of a daily wage laborer, struggled to gather the Rs 17,500 required for admission, ultimately losing his seat by minutes. The court emphasized the importance of not leaving talented students behind and created a supernumerary seat to accommodate him without affecting other students. The decision sparked celebrations in Atul's village, highlighting the judiciary's role in ensuring justice and equal opportunities. Atul had approached multiple legal bodies, including the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and the Madras High Court, before finally finding relief in the Supreme Court.