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Using its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, the apex court asked the IIT Dhanbad to admit Dalit student Atul Kumar into its BTech course.
As the news spread, villagers started dancing with dhols and other musical instruments, and also distributed sweets in the village.
Rash Devi, the mother of Atul, said, “We are very happy that the Supreme Court directed the institute to give admission to my son.” Amit Kumar, the brother of the Dalit student, also expressed happiness.
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“We are of the view that a talented student like the petitioner who belongs to a marginalised group who did all to secure admission should not be left out… we direct that candidate is granted admission to IIT Dhanbad and let him be in the same batch to which he would have been granted admission if the fees would have been paid,” the bench said in the order.
Article 142 of the Constitution empowers the top court to pass any order in the interest of justice.
The parents of Atul Kumar, 18, failed to deposit Rs 17,500 as the acceptance fee by June 24, the deadline for depositing the requisite fees for blocking the seat.
The parents of the youth also approached the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, Jharkhand Legal Services Authority and the Madras High Court to save the hard-earned seat.
Atul, the son of a daily wager, belongs to a below poverty line (BPL) family living at Titora village in Muzaffarnagar district.