Supreme Court Deliberates on Over 25K WB School Appointments Cancellation
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Synopsis
The <b>Supreme Court</b> has reserved its judgment regarding the <b>West Bengal</b> government’s appeal against the <b>Calcutta High Court</b>'s cancellation of over 25,000 school appointments made by the <b>WBSSC</b>. The case revolves around alleged irregularities and recruitment scams.
Key Takeaways
- Supreme Court reserves decision on school job cancellations.
- Calcutta High Court annulled 25,753 appointments from 2016.
- Investigation by CBI continues amidst the case.
- Candidates must return salaries with interest.
- New recruitment processes must be initiated.
New Delhi, Feb 10 (NationPress) The Supreme Court on Monday withheld its ruling on a series of petitions, which include the appeal by the West Bengal government against the Calcutta High Court's decision to annul 25,753 appointments in both teaching and non-teaching roles made by the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) in 2016.
A bench led by CJI Sanjiv Khanna and consisting of Justice Sanjay Kumar reserved its judgment following the oral presentations from both parties. Previously, the Supreme Court had instructed that pleadings be finalized and provided a "final opportunity" for the private respondents (those who filed writ petitions before the Calcutta HC) to submit their counter-affidavits.
Additionally, the court appointed four nodal counsels to assist in the distribution of a unified collection of pleadings regarding this case. On May 7, 2024, a bench led by the former CJI D.Y. Chandrachud suspended the execution of the contested order from the Calcutta High Court that had invalidated school positions.
The bench under CJI Chandrachud permitted the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to proceed with its inquiries into the purported scam while limiting the agency from executing any coercive measures against the applicants or officials.
In an order issued in mid-April 2024, the Calcutta High Court invalidated the appointments of candidates selected from expired panels, mandating them to return all salaries received during their tenures, plus an annual interest of 12 percent, within four weeks.
In addition to directing the WBSSC to restart the recruitment process, a division bench comprising Justices Debangsu Basak and Shabbar Rashidi also instructed the investigative agency to continue its probe into the situation.
Taking note of the state Cabinet's decision to create super-numeric posts, it stated that the CBI could, if warranted, interrogate the masterminds behind the establishment of excess posts beyond the available vacancies. These super-numeric roles, which have been scrutinized since the outset, are believed to allow for the recruitment of unqualified candidates.
In July 2023, the Supreme Court nullified an interim order from the Calcutta High Court that terminated the employment of 32,000 primary teachers and instructed the West Bengal authorities to finalize the recruitment process for newly created vacancies within three months.
Emphasizing the urgency for the high court to resolve the appeal linked to the school-jobs-for-cash scandal, the Supreme Court insisted that all parties must be afforded a chance to present their case.
