Supreme Court Urges High Court to Act Quickly for IIT Bombay Student with Vision Disability
The Supreme Court has asked the Bombay High Court to focus on interim relief for a visually impaired student at IIT Bombay. The student is pursuing an MSc in Biotechnology and needs reasonable accommodation under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, of 2016. Notably, the student first approached the high court in March 2024.
A bench of Justices B.R. Gavai, Augustine George Masih, and K. Vinod Chandran reviewed the case. They emphasized the importance of addressing the issue quickly. Furthermore, the student had filed a special leave petition (SLP) to seek relief. The court noted that cases involving persons with disabilities often get priority based on guidelines from some high courts.
The student’s counsel explained the difficulty in getting essential accommodations. Although the case is scheduled for January 27, 2025, it has been delayed for nearly a year. Therefore, the Supreme Court urged the high court to address interim relief on the scheduled date.
“We request the division bench to decide on interim relief during the hearing,” the Supreme Court stated. With this, they concluded the petition.
This case highlights the ongoing challenges for students with disabilities in top institutions like IIT Bombay. Moreover, it stresses the need to enforce rights guaranteed by the Disabilities Act.
IIT Bombay and NIRF Rankings
IIT Bombay has consistently ranked among the top institutions in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) for five years. Despite its high standing, however, this case shows the need for greater inclusivity and support for students with diverse needs.