The West Bengal government has moved the Supreme Court against the Calcutta High Court order invalidating the appointment of 25,753 teachers and non-teaching staff made by the state’s School Service Commission (SSC) in state-run and state-aided schools.
In its appeal to the top court, the state government argued that the high court’s decision to cancel the appointments was arbitrary and failed to consider the potential disruption to the education system.
The plea highlighted the urgent need for the state to manage the repercussions of immediate terminations without adequate time to address the resultant vacuum in staffing.
The Calcutta High Court’s ruling declared the entire selection process null and void and directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate the appointment process. Additionally, it ordered individuals appointed beyond official vacancies or after the recruitment deadline to return all received remuneration and benefits.
Despite acknowledging the potential prejudice to legally appointed individuals, the high court deemed all appointments in violation of constitutional articles on equality and discrimination.
Furthermore, the court criticized the state cabinet’s decision to protect fraudulently obtained appointments, finding it inconceivable without collusion between fraudsters and decision-makers.
Rejecting appeals for a stay, the high court instructed the SSC to begin a fresh appointment process within a fortnight after the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
The bench, appointed by the Chief Justice on the Supreme Court’s directive, reviewed hundreds of petitions concerning SSC appointments for various teaching and non-teaching positions.
In its comprehensive 282-page judgment, the high court emphasized that retaining appointees selected through such a dubious process would not serve public interest.
Also read: Bengal teacher recruitment scam: Calcutta HC cancels 25753 appointments
Posted in News, States
