The Supreme Court is set to pronounce its decision tomorrow on a series of pleas challenging the Calcutta High Court’s ruling that annulled over 25,000 teaching and non-teaching appointments made by the West Bengal School Selection Commission (SSC) in 2016. The bench, comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar, had reserved its judgment on February 10.
The SSC appointments have been scrutinized due to allegations of a cash-for-jobs recruitment scam. The Supreme Court had previously issued an interim order safeguarding these appointments, stating that those found to be illegally appointed would be required to refund their salaries.
INTERIM PROTECTION AND CBI INVESTIGATION
The Supreme Court permitted the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to continue its probe into recruitment irregularities while restraining the agency from taking any coercive measures. The Calcutta High Court had earlier directed the CBI to investigate individuals who secured jobs after the expiry of the panel and those who submitted blank OMR sheets. Additionally, the State had sought further investigations into officials who allegedly facilitated illegal appointments by creating supernumerary posts.
The Supreme Court first granted interim protection in this matter on November 9, 2023, in the case of Achinta Kumar Mondal vs. Laxmi Tunga.
BACKGROUND OF THE CASE
On April 22, 2024, the Calcutta High Court invalidated the appointments made through the 2016 SSC selection process, citing widespread corruption and manipulation in recruitment. The decision affected thousands of teachers and non-teaching staff across government and aided schools in the state.
The West Bengal government has contested the High Court’s blanket cancellation, arguing that it failed to distinguish between legally and illegally appointed individuals. The state asserts that the ruling will leave a significant staffing gap in schools, severely impacting students, especially with the approaching new academic session.
Furthermore, the State has criticized the High Court for relying solely on oral arguments without requiring supporting affidavits. It has also opposed the directive to conduct a fresh selection process within two weeks of the upcoming election results, emphasizing the existing understaffing crisis in schools.
IMPLICATIONS OF THE VERDICT
The Supreme Court’s decision will be crucial in determining the fate of thousands of teachers and non-teaching staff. It will also set a precedent for handling similar cases of recruitment irregularities across the country.
CASE DETAILS
Case Title: The State of West Bengal vs. Baishakhi Bhattacharyya (Chatterjee)
Petition Number: SLP(C) No. 009586/2024 and connected matters
Stay tuned for further updates as the Supreme Court delivers its much-anticipated verdict on this controversial recruitment case.
