Summary
A Scheduled Caste candidate allotted an IIT Dhanbad seat through JEE (Advanced) 2024 lost it because his fee payment did not go through before the portal closed at 5 pm on the last day. Since the records showed he had tried diligently to complete the formalities, the Court used Article 142 to direct his admission on a supernumerary seat if required.
Issues
- Whether a candidate who lost an allotted IIT seat because his fee payment was not processed before the deadline, despite earnest efforts, should be granted relief under Article 142 of the Constitution.
Provisions considered
- Article 142, Constitution of IndiaInvoked to do substantial justice to a meritorious student from a marginalised group who had done everything within his power to secure the allotted seat; the Court directed his admission to IIT Dhanbad in the allotted branch and batch. (¶¶ 6, 7)
Held
- It was undisputed that the petitioner had been allotted the seat, that he belonged to a Scheduled Caste, and that he took steps to comply with the formalities. The portal log showed six log-ins on the last day between 15.12 and 16.57 hours, so he had been diligent and had no reason to hold back except his inability to arrange the fee of Rs 17,500 in time. (¶¶ 5, 6)
- A talented student from a marginalised group who has done everything possible to secure admission should not be left without a remedy; the power under Article 142 to do substantial justice is meant for exactly such a situation. (¶ 6)
- The petitioner was directed to be admitted to the same batch in Electrical Engineering at IIT Dhanbad on payment of the fee, with a supernumerary seat created if required so that no existing student is displaced, and with all consequential benefits including hostel accommodation. The Director was requested to help him complete the course work he had missed. (¶¶ 7, 8)
Result
Writ petition disposed of; IIT Dhanbad directed to admit the petitioner to the allotted Electrical Engineering seat in the same batch, on a supernumerary seat if needed, with consequential benefits.