Doctor volunteers to sponsor Dalit girl's education, HC lauds gesture

The doctor, who works as a Consultant MD, DMRE, MBBS at Wadia Children Hospital, Mumbai had filed an application for intervention before the bench of Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh, stating that she wished to sponsor the studies of a student from Dalit community at IIT BHU for Mathematics and Computing (5 Years, Bachelor and Master of Technology (Dual Degree) Course.

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The girl had moved the court after she had lost her seat at IIT BHU because she could not submit the fees of Rs 15,000 which is required for seat acceptance due to some financial difficulties. She had secured 92.77 percent marks in the Joint Entrance Examination Mains Examination and had secured a rank of 2,062 in the SC list, reports the law beat.

The bench last week had directed the IIT (BHU) Varanasi to give her admission, where Justice Singh had volunteered to contribute the fee amount required for the allocation of the seat, and had given the petitioner the money after court hours.

On Monday, the court was told that the student was given the admission. After Allahabad High Court's decision that led to a Dalit girl securing admission, the doctor volunteered to sponsor for her studies.

The petitioner girl informed the Bench that she does not have any objection to such a magnanimous gesture by the Doctor and was infact deeply grateful.

The counsel for the petitioner submitted to the bench that several IIT alumni and advocates have got in touch to sponsor the entire study of the petitioner, reports Live Law.

Appreciating the doctor's effort, the court noted,

"This is quite heartening that capable section of the society is willing to sponsor the study of a meritorious girl student from lower strata of the society. The Court places appreciation on record to all such persons, who have volunteered to sponsor entire study of the petitioner. This Court places on record its special appreciation for Dr. Sonal Chauhan for her noble gesture."

"This Court believes that this is not a solitary case where a brilliant student coming from the lower strata of Society faces such a difficulty in depositing the fee after cracking the admission test for prestigious institution such as IIT. Others might not have been so fortunate to come to Court," it added.

The court sought response from the Centre and the State, "Whether there is some scheme/fund for sponsoring the study of such students who secures admission in the best of the Institution through entrance exams such as J.E.E./N.E.E.T./C.L.A.T. etc., but they are unable to pay their fee because of their poor economic conditions."

The case is next slated to be heard on 20th of December, 2021, before which the court has asked state government and the central government to place on record their instructions.

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