Why Did the Calcutta HC Deny the Plea from 'Tainted' Candidates?

Synopsis
In a significant legal development, the Calcutta High Court has refused to entertain a plea from 'tainted' teachers who lost their jobs in state-run schools. Despite recent Supreme Court orders, these educators find themselves without legal options. What does this mean for their future? Read on for the full story.
Key Takeaways
- The Calcutta HC has denied a plea from 'tainted' teachers.
- Supreme Court rulings play a significant role in educational recruitment issues.
- 'Untainted' teachers must also undergo new examinations.
- The situation reflects ongoing challenges in the education sector.
- Legal options for 'tainted' teachers are dwindling.
Kolkata, May 28 (NationPress) The Calcutta High Court, on Wednesday, declined to consider a petition from 'tainted' educators who have lost their positions in state-run schools, following a Supreme Court ruling last month.
The primary argument of the petition was that while the Supreme Court provided an opportunity for teachers classified as 'untainted' or 'genuine' to participate in a new recruitment examination, this opportunity was not extended to those deemed 'tainted' for allegedly securing jobs through unethical means such as rank manipulation, optical mark recognition sheet tampering, and out-of-panel appointments.
These 'tainted' educators argued that although the Supreme Court permitted salary payments until December 31 for those recognized as 'untainted' or 'genuine', this benefit was not applied to those identified as 'tainted'.
The 'tainted' teachers approached the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday, seeking the court's intervention regarding these matters. Nevertheless, Justice Partha Sarathi Chatterjee, presiding over the single-judge bench, chose not to entertain the petition.
He noted that since the Supreme Court issued clear directives on this issue and the matter remains pending in the apex court, his bench would refrain from hearing it. Previously, these 'tainted' teachers had also appealed to the Supreme Court with a similar request, which was turned down. With the Calcutta High Court also rejecting their plea, these 'tainted' educators find themselves with no further legal recourse.
This development occurred just a day after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) will release notifications for fresh recruitment of vacant positions in state-run schools on May 30.
She also indicated that even the 'untainted' teachers who lost their jobs due to a Supreme Court ruling in the cash-for-job scandal would need to take the written examination for recruitment.
On April 3, a Supreme Court bench upheld the Calcutta High Court's decision, which annulled 25,753 school appointments made via the WBSSC, and directed the state government to initiate a new recruitment process by May 31 through notifications or advertisements.