The Supreme Court on Monday allowed a visually impaired candidate for the Common Law Entrance Test-Post Graduate (CLAT-PG) to have a scribe for assistance [Yash Dodani and Ors. v Union of India and Ors].A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan ordered that the assistance be allowed subject to the scribe not being a graduate of law or any humanities subject.The Court passed the order in a plea moved by a group of visually-impaired law students and graduates.The petitioners have alleged systemic discrimination and non-compliance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act in the conduct of legal examinations like the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) and the CLAT..The petitioners, individuals with significant visual impairments, highlighted the persistent barriers in accessing necessary accommodations during these exams, despite repeated attempts to engage with the Bar Council of India (BCI) and the authorities which hold CLAT..The Court had on November 22 issued notice in the matter, and asked the authorities concerned to extend the date for applying for scribes in all competitive law exams till today..Advocates Rahul Bajaj and Sanchita Ain appeared for the petitioner.Advocate Akshay Amritanshu Modi appeared for the Bar Council of India today, and was asked to get instructions on whether the AIBE can be computer-based for the specially-abled.
The Supreme Court on Monday allowed a visually impaired candidate for the Common Law Entrance Test-Post Graduate (CLAT-PG) to have a scribe for assistance [Yash Dodani and Ors. v Union of India and Ors].A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan ordered that the assistance be allowed subject to the scribe not being a graduate of law or any humanities subject.The Court passed the order in a plea moved by a group of visually-impaired law students and graduates.The petitioners have alleged systemic discrimination and non-compliance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act in the conduct of legal examinations like the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) and the CLAT..The petitioners, individuals with significant visual impairments, highlighted the persistent barriers in accessing necessary accommodations during these exams, despite repeated attempts to engage with the Bar Council of India (BCI) and the authorities which hold CLAT..The Court had on November 22 issued notice in the matter, and asked the authorities concerned to extend the date for applying for scribes in all competitive law exams till today..Advocates Rahul Bajaj and Sanchita Ain appeared for the petitioner.Advocate Akshay Amritanshu Modi appeared for the Bar Council of India today, and was asked to get instructions on whether the AIBE can be computer-based for the specially-abled.