Ensure No Disabled Candidate Is Denied Access To CLAT: Supreme Court To NLU Consortium

The Supreme Court on Wednesday heard a plea challenging the stringent conditions imposed by CLAT consortium on persons with disabilities intending to avail scribes. The matter was heard by a bench comprising CJI DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha.

At the very outset, CJI Chandrachud remarked that the consortium only providing scribes to those with benchmark disabilities was, in the court's opinion, against the judgement in Vikash Kumar v. Union Public Service Commission. The petitioner prayed for directing the consortium to accept disability certificates and not just government medical certificate. The court agreed to the same. Further, the petitioner argued that the condition that a scribe could not be one affiliated to a coaching centre was exclusionary as all students were affiliated with a coaching centre which taught subjects such as English and Math. He added–

"My lords, English and Maths are a part of all entrance examinations. This way candidates will have to find a french-speaking martial arts students to be a scribe!"

The bench while giving the order stated that no deserving student shall be stopped from getting scribe. CJI Chandrachud also asked the petitioner to give the consortium the list of 13 specially abled students appearing for CLAT so that the consortium could ensure that they are reasonably accomodated. He said–

"Give a list to the consortium, they'll make sure that they're given facilities. We request the respondent to ensure that no disabled student is left out and all reasonable accommodation is granted as per the PwD Act and judgement in Vikash Kumar."

Additionally, the bench stated that the issue would be examined again after this year's CLAT examination is held. Accordingly, it directed the consortium to submit an updated affidavit.

CASE TITLE: Arnab Roy v. Consortium of NLU And Anr. WP(C) No. 1109/2022

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