HC seeks statistics of number of disabled persons in IIMs

The Bombay High Court, on Monday, sought statistics of the total number of disabled persons admitted against seats reserved for them in the Indian Institute of Managements (IIMs) as per provisions of the Disability Act, 1995.

The Bombay High Court, on Monday, sought statistics of the total number of disabled persons admitted against seats reserved for them in the Indian Institute of Managements (IIMs) as per provisions of the Disability Act, 1995.

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Division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice S C Dharmadhikari has given IIM Ahmedabad time till July 6 to collect the data from other IIMs and submit it before them.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Girreddy Surayanarayan Reddy (49) from Mumbai, who has sought proper implementation of provisions of the Disability Act.

Though the act provides three percent reservation for disabled persons, no such reservation was actually offered, he said in the petition.

Reddy had lodged a complaint with the Chief Commissioner for Disabled Persons after his 20-year-old son Rahul’s name didn't figure in the selected list for phase II of Common Admission Test conducted in March 2010.

Reddy stated in his complaint that the IIMs were keeping out disabled persons, like his son, despite securing qualifying marks.

He had initially filed a complaint with the Chief Commissioner Act but had to approach the high court after the Chief Commissioner failed to act on the complaint.

His lawyer Gayatri Singh said that the IIMs first deny opportunity to disabled persons, then carry forward the seats for two-three years and finally de-reserve the seats earmarked for them saying no disable candidate is coming forward.

Vishal Maheshwar, counsel for IIM Ahmedabad denied the charge saying no seat reserved for disabled persons has ever remained vacant.

“We may not be able to pass any order in the matter. None of the IIM is within the jurisdiction of the Bombay High Court,” said the Chief Justice.