Disabled student unable to board train misses DU exam, Delhi HC issues notice to Railways

Student missed MPhil exam due to lack of proper access for disabled passengers to train coaches

The Delhi High Court on Friday issued a suo moto notice against the Railways in connection with an incident wherein a disabled student missed his exam due to lack of proper access for disabled passengers to train coaches.

When student Vaibhav Shukla went to board the compartment for disabled people the door was locked and he could not get in. (AFP Photo) (AFP Photo)

The court issued a notice and sought a reply from the ministry of railways, the North-Eastern Railways and the University of Delhi (DU).

The court also issued directions to DU to examine the possibilities of conducting an examination for the student, Vaibhav Shukla, to enable him to secure admission, if he qualifies for the course and session for which he had applied.

As per the report, on July 5, Vaibhav Shukla, a 100% visually impaired student had to travel to Delhi to appear in an entrance exam for DU’s M Phil course. When his train arrived at Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao railway station, Shukla went to the coach reserved for the disabled passengers, which was next to the engine.

The doors were locked, after which his brother and the driver tried to open the gates.

However, the passengers in the compartment refused to come forward to open the door.

After he boarded another train and reached Delhi, Shukla informed DU authorities about his plight, but was told that nothing could be done.

Shukla was thus prevented from participating in the entrance exam.