What’s the Latest in the Bengal Primary Teachers’ Recruitment Case? Argument Concludes at Calcutta HC
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Arguments concluded in a significant case regarding teacher recruitment.
- The division bench reserved its judgment without a specified date.
- Allegations of institutional corruption were raised by petitioners.
- The state government argued lack of evidence from petitioners.
- The case highlights the need for transparency in educational appointments.
Kolkata, Nov 12 (NationPress) After a lengthy six-month deliberation, the arguments concerning the irregularities in the hiring process of 32,000 primary teachers for state-run schools in West Bengal came to a close at a division bench of the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday.
However, the bench, comprising Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty and Justice Ritabrata Kumar Mitra, has reserved its judgment without providing a date for its announcement.
The proceedings began on April 28, 2025.
In his concluding remarks, the state government’s counsel asserted that the petitioners, who claimed irregularities in the recruitment of the primary teachers, failed to present adequate documentary evidence to substantiate their allegations, thereby rendering them baseless.
Conversely, CPI(M) Rajya Sabha member and the petitioners' counsel, Bikas Ranjan Bhattacharya, contended that this case exemplifies institutional corruption, where all established guidelines for teacher appointments were disregarded.
To recap, in May 2023, a single-judge bench led by then-judge of the Calcutta High Court and current BJP Lok Sabha member, Abhijit Gangopadhyay, ordered the annulment of 32,000 primary teacher positions in the state.
Gangopadhyay's ruling stemmed from petitions filed by candidates who alleged that individuals received job offers despite having lower rankings in recruitment exams compared to many deserving candidates.
The state government contested this ruling before the division bench, which was initially overseen by Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Smita Das De.
However, after Justice Sen recused himself, the case was subsequently assigned to the bench led by Justice Chakraborty and Justice Mitra.