Were Bribes Involved in Supernumerary Teacher Recruitments in Bengal?
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Synopsis
The CBI has disclosed alarming details about bribes in teacher recruitment in West Bengal. This revelation raises questions about the integrity of educational hiring processes in the state. As investigations unfold, the implications of these findings could reshape the future of educational recruitment in Bengal.
Key Takeaways
- CBI reveals bribery in teacher recruitments for upper primary schools in Bengal.
- Investigation requires a separate FIR, pending state approval.
- Multi-crore cash-for-jobs scandal linked to various irregularities.
- Supreme Court canceled over 25,000 teaching positions.
- Next court hearing set for July 4.
Kolkata, July 1 (NationPress) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) revealed to the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday that, in addition to standard recruitment processes for teaching and non-teaching positions in state-operated schools within West Bengal, bribes were also exchanged for supernumerary appointments as work-education and physical education instructors for upper primary levels.
During a hearing before Justice Biswajit Basu's single-judge bench, CBI attorney Dhiraj Trivedi expressed the need for further inquiry to ascertain the precise number of individuals who paid bribes for these supernumerary roles.
He elaborated that any investigative actions by the CBI would only commence following the registration of a distinct FIR regarding the issue.
Trivedi also notified the court that the state government has not yet authorized the filing of this FIR. He stated that under the current circumstances, the central agency could initiate an investigation only after receiving court approval to register the FIR.
Additionally, he mentioned that various facets of the extensive cash-for-school jobs scandal in West Bengal are interconnected. "Given that the CBI is already investigating other related cases of this alleged fraud, it requires the court's consent to initiate a separate inquiry into the irregularities surrounding supernumerary recruitment," Trivedi submitted.
Justice Basu remarked that a more comprehensive hearing is necessary. The next session is slated for July 4.
Earlier that day, another single-judge bench led by Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya raised several significant points regarding the recent recruitment announcement made by the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) in May, aimed at filling vacancies left after the Supreme Court annulled 25,753 positions for teaching and non-teaching staff in state-run schools in April.
Point of View
It is essential to approach the ongoing investigation with a commitment to transparency and justice. The allegations of bribery in teacher recruitment highlight significant systemic issues within the educational framework of West Bengal. The nation must prioritize integrity and accountability in all public sector hiring processes to rebuild trust in educational institutions.
NationPress
20/08/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CBI's role in the teacher recruitment scandal?
The CBI is investigating allegations of bribery in the recruitment process for teaching positions in West Bengal's state-run schools, specifically targeting supernumerary appointments.
What are supernumerary recruitments?
Supernumerary recruitments refer to additional positions created beyond the standard staffing requirements, often used for specific roles like work-education and physical education teachers.
What actions are being taken regarding the FIR?
The CBI requires the state government's approval to register a new FIR to proceed with its investigation into the bribery allegations.
How many teaching positions were affected by the Supreme Court ruling?
The Supreme Court annulled 25,753 positions for teaching and non-teaching staff in state-run schools in April.
When is the next court hearing scheduled?
The next hearing regarding this matter is scheduled for July 4.
