How a Dalit Student is Battling Discrimination and Systemic Harassment at NIT Patna After Exposing Corruption and Mismanagement

Patna- Swimming against the current is never easy, especially when the stakes involve completing a degree at an educational institution. Yet, Shubham Kumar, a Dalit student refused to stay silent in the face of wrongdoing. Unwilling to ignore the corruption, caste-based discrimination, and mismanagement he witnessed at NIT Patna, Shubham boldly raised his voice. What followed was a relentless battle that has now spanned over two years, as he continues to fight for justice, against the very system that seeks to silence his claims.

In a powerful plea for justice, Shubham Kumar, a student hailing from Scheduled Caste community, has approached the Chief Justice of India (CJI), Sanjiv Khanna, seeking intervention in a case that has derailed his academic career. Shubham’s letter, sent through the Secretary General of the Supreme Court of India, paints a harrowing picture of discrimination, institutional corruption, and judicial prejudice, which he claims have jeopardized his future.

Shubham, a resident of Mauna village in Rohtas district, Bihar took admission to the NIT Patna in 2020. Despite being a meritorious student, Shubham claims, he became target of systemic oppression after he raised voice against corruption and malpractices at the institute.

He has qualified for the UGC NET (June 2024) and GATE (2024) exams, secured an All-India Rank of 1,442 in the SC category in IIT JEE Advanced (2019), and represented India at the Asia Youth International Model United Nations in Malaysia.

He has also won a national debate competition organized by the Ministry of Education and presented a research paper at a national conference hosted by IISc Bengaluru.

Despite his accomplishments, Kumar’s academic journey has been marred by institutional and judicial setbacks. His interim applications, including one seeking directions for supplementary examinations, were rejected, delaying the completion of his degree and jeopardizing his career. Another application containing critical electronic evidence remains pending, leaving key facts unexamined.

In a detailed conversation with The Mooknayak, Shubham Kumar narrated the struggles and alleged discriminatory practices he has faced, highlighting the clear bias and caste-based discrimination practiced by the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Patna in handling disciplinary matters and awarding degrees.

" In 2020, I was admitted to the institute, initially attending online classes due to the prevailing conditions. In August 2021, I was wrongly failed by Professor Sukhdev Singh and subsequently I raised objections through RTI and CPGRAMS, presenting evidence to support my claim. This led to the re-conduct of the viva examination, wherein I was declared to have passed", Shubham said.

On March 20, 2022, his admission was physically verified for the 2022 batch, marking the commencement of offline classes. However, on April 26, 2022, Shubham openly criticized the institute for encroaching on the cafeteria during student service hours for private events such as anniversaries. Between March and December 2022, the institute allegedly charged ₹24,000 for just two months of hostel mess fees—an amount equivalent to fees for the January–June 2022 period—despite several high court and Supreme Court decisions directing a waiver of fees for services not rendered.

On May 1, 2022, Shubham filed a complaint with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regarding a scam involving Sudha Dahi coupons. The mess contractor redeemed ₹12–₹15 coupons for yogurt priced at ₹10 for an 80-gram pack. Following this complaint, the scam was halted the next day after a copy of the complaint was shared with the warden and the chairman of hostel management.

On the night of August 22, 2022, Shubham faced bullying, harassment, and physical assault by Narendra Bajya, the class representative and mess committee nominee. He alleged this was instigated by corrupt officials within the institute. A complaint was filed next day, but the officials allegedly took no substantial action, leaving Shubham vulnerable to ongoing harassment and threats. By September 15, 2022, the Dalit student exposed alleged favoritism in a technical assistant recruitment scam, implicating the son of the Electronics & Communication Engineering department head. The registrar canceled the recruitment citing "technical reasons," which the Shubham claimed was an attempt to cover up the failed scam.

Shubham said, " On October 22, 2022, I lodged a complaint with the Pirbahore Police Station in Patna. However, on November 14, an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) allegedly visited the institute to verify the claims but compromised with institute officials. I was detained in the caretaker’s ground-floor room, where my phone was forcibly taken by the warden and another official. The phone was kept in custody for ten days, during which i was coerced into withdrawing my police complaint and writing a false statement regarding beer bottles and objectionable images. I was so much under stress that elevated my blood pressure, even requiring medical treatment."

On November 15, 2022, the college issued an appearance notice to him without detailing the allegations, which Shubham claimed was a violation of natural justice. On November 17, he and his parents were allegedly coerced into apologizing under threat of expulsion. The phone was returned in a formatted condition, and no official record of the meeting or proceedings was maintained.

Shubham asserted that fabricated evidence, including an email dated November 18, 2022, was used to justify the expulsion, which was handed to him on November 24 without specific charges or reasons disclosed.

" I was expelled from July 2022 to June 2023 i.e. academic year 2022-23, hence receiving a major blow to my career", he stated.

After filing an RTI on December 14, 2022, seeking details of the disciplinary actions, Shubham alleged that the institute responded with backdated documents and continued to withhold relevant information. Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) directed the institute to address the expulsion and provide a report, but the petitioner failed to comply. The respondent also approached the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, which prompted the institute to release meeting minutes related to the expulsion in April 2023.

In March 2023, Shubham challenged the expulsion in the Patna High Court (CWJC 4528/2023). On May 8, 2023, the court set aside the expulsion order, directing the institute to re-register in the fifth semester from the upcoming session in July 2023. However, Shubham stated that this order too required modification as his registration should have been in the seventh semester instead of fifth, causing an year of delay. He also said that his advocate, misled him during the proceedings and failed to ensure proper representation, resulting in the unnecessary litigation.

Subsequently, Shubham filed multiple complaints against his advocate and continued to pursue redressal through various authorities.

In May 2024, a Division Bench admitted his case for hearing. Over the next five months, the court held 19 hearings, addressing all disputes and issues. Ultimately, the LPA was allowed due to the coerced apology, lack of substantial evidence, irregularities in the disciplinary proceedings, and victimization, which the court concluded were deliberate actions by the institute aimed at tarnishing Shubham's career. However, the institute took the matter to Supreme Court which stayed the Patna High Court's decision.

'My Dignity and Education Have Been Snatched' : Dalit Student Writes to CJI

In his emotionally charged letter, Shubham writes, “As a Scheduled Caste student, I have endured systemic harassment, institutional corruption, and judicial indifference. My dignity and education have been snatched by those who were meant to uphold them.”

The case, registered as SLP No. 19944 of 2024, arises from the judgment of the Patna High Court dated May 17, 2024. Shubham stated that the bench comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti issued a stay order halting the operation of the High Court's decision, which had previously ruled in his favor.

Despite the absence of legal provisions in India mandating apologies without legal consequences, Shubham alleges, he faced coercive and repeated demands for apologies during court proceedings, undermining his dignity and right to a fair defense. The court allegedly relied on tampered evidence and disregarded precedent set in cases like State of Maharashtra v. Som Nath Thapa and Onkar Nath Mishra v. State, which emphasize that apologies cannot substitute substantive evidence.

Shubham has requested the recusal of the Bench comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti from hearing his case. He alleges that their conduct has demonstrated evident bias, causing significant harm to his academic career and undermining his right to a fair trial.

He urged the CJI to issue directions to vacate the stay on the operation of the LPA 1339 of 2023 judgment. Shubham argues that lifting the stay is crucial to allow the completion of his academic career, which has been unjustly interrupted.

To ensure impartiality, the student has requested that his case be reassigned to an alternate bench. He believes that a fair and just hearing can only be achieved if his matter is handled by a bench free from bias.

Shubham Kumar has also approached the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), accusing caste-based discrimination, unethical practices, and privacy violations during the Oracle recruitment drive held at the institute. In his detailed complaint, he highlighted how students were compelled to disclose sensitive information, including caste details, in placement forms. This, according to Shubham, created an environment conducive to discrimination, especially against marginalized communities, undermining the principles of equality and meritocracy.

Shubham has further alleged manipulation and favoritism during the selection process. He claims that Rohan Shetty, a close associate of NIT Patna's Training and Placement Officer, Dr. Shailesh Mani Pandey, was permitted to proceed to the interview stage despite being disqualified in the online assessment. Shubham alleges that Rohan's selection was facilitated through a breach of protocol and misuse of authority, depriving deserving candidates of a fair opportunity.

Shubham has sought the intervention of the NCSC for a thorough investigation, immediate annulment of the manipulated selection, and strict measures to ensure unbiased recruitment practices in educational institutions.

A Career in Jeopardy

Speaking with The Mooknayak, Shubham Kumar narrated the struggles and alleged discriminatory practices he has faced, highlighting the clear bias and caste-based discrimination practiced by NIT Patna in handling disciplinary matters and awarding degrees.

‘For instance, five students were involved in an Excise Case (F.I.R. No. 0152/2023 Mohaniya, Kaimur). Narendra Bajya, a Mess Committee member and Class Representative in our Department of ECE, was named in Pirbahore P.S. (FIR No. 842/2023) for a ragging complaint incident dated 22.08.2022. In another case, a student was recorded inhaling a narcotic substance within the Brahmaputra NIT Patna Hostel. Additionally, two other students were involved in hooliganism near the girls' hostel.

Despite these grave offenses, none of these students faced any disciplinary action and received their degrees on time. However, my degree has been unjustly withheld solely due to caste hatred and bias. This happened despite the High Court Division Bench setting aside my expulsion on merit. The institute, driven by vindictive motives and influenced by caste-based discrimination, went so far as to secure a stay against the High Court's judgment, further delaying my degree and derailing my career.

My efforts to expose these discriminatory practices and irregularities have only resulted in more hostility and victimization. I hope this narrative reaches the appropriate audience to hold NIT Patna accountable and bring justice to victims like me.’"

Shubham has also sent a letter to the President of India, which has been forwarded to the Law Ministry and recently acknowledged.

Shubham’s academic achievements, including qualifying for the UGC NET in June 2024, scoring an All India Rank of 22,186 in GATE 2024, and ranking 1442 in the SC category of JEE Advanced 2019, stand as a testament to his hard work and dedication. Yet, he fears that the ongoing legal battle and systemic harassment have irreparably harmed his career.

“My academic journey is being weaponized against me, and my merit is being overshadowed by a system that refuses to grant justice,” he states.

The Mooknayak has sent emails to the NIT Patna officials, including the Director and Registrar, seeking clarification on their stance regarding serious allegations made by Shubham Kumar. An official response is being awaited, and the story will be updated upon receiving clarification from NIT Patna.