TEACHER APPOINTMENT CANCELLATION STANDS: IN SETBACK FOR WB GOVT, SC DENIES STAY ON CALCUTTA HC ORDER

In a setback for the West Bengal government, the Supreme Court on Monday refused to stay the Calcutta High Court order cancelling the appointment of 24,000 teachers.

The apex court, however, also stayed further probe by the CBI against government officers involved in the recruitment of the teachers.

The SC has posted the matter for next hearing on May 6.

Reading out its order, CJI DY Chandrachud said, "Prima-facie there are irregularities in the manner of recruitment. Look how it is done. OMR sheet is completely destroyed, mirror images not there, people not in the panel are recruited.."

What is the case?The West Bengal government had moved the Supreme Court against the Calcutta High Court's recent decision to cancel about 24,000 appointments of teaching and non-teaching staff made in 2016 by the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC).

The HC had also ordered the 24,000 candidates to return the salaries they received after being "illegally" recruited.

In the SLP before the top court, the State has alleged that the High Court on the basis of oral submissions and in absence of any affidavit on record, had arbitrarily cancelled the appointments.

The same was done in "utter disregard" of the fact that it will lead to a huge vacuum in the schools, the SLP said.

2024-04-29T11:52:00Z dg43tfdfdgfd