Supreme Court to Review Petition Against Calcutta HC's Cancellation of 25,753 School Jobs
Click to start listening
Synopsis
The Supreme Court is set to hear petitions, including the West Bengal government's appeal against the Calcutta High Court's decision to cancel 25,753 school job appointments made by the WBSSC in 2016, on Monday.
Key Takeaways
- Supreme Court hearing on job cancellations
- 25,753 appointments in question
- West Bengal government's appeal
- Investigation by CBI ongoing
- New recruitment process mandated
New Delhi, Jan 26 (NationPress) The Supreme Court is scheduled to review a series of petitions on Monday, encompassing the appeal from the West Bengal government against the Calcutta High Court's decision to annul 25,753 appointments in educational and administrative roles made by the WBSSC in 2016.
According to information released on the apex court's website, a panel led by CJI Sanjiv Khanna along with Justices Sanjay Kumar and K.V. Viswanathan will proceed with the hearing on January 27 at 2 p.m.
During a previous session, the Supreme Court instructed that pleadings be finalized and provided “one last chance” for the private respondents (those who filed writ petitions in the Calcutta HC) to submit their counter-affidavits. The court also appointed four nodal counsels to assist in the distribution of a unified compilation of documents related to the case.
Previously, on May 7, 2024, a bench under then CJI D.Y. Chandrachud suspended the execution of the controversial order from the Calcutta High Court that annulled school jobs. This bench permitted the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to persist with its inquiry into the alleged scam, while limiting the agency from taking any coercive measures against the candidates or officials involved.
In a ruling issued in the third week of April 2024, the Calcutta High Court invalidated the appointments of candidates selected from expired panels, demanding they return all salaries received during their service, along with an annualized interest of 12 percent, within four weeks. Additionally, the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) was instructed to restart the recruitment process anew, and a division bench comprising Justices Debangsu Basak and Shabbar Rashidi also ordered the investigative agency to continue its probe.
The court acknowledged the state Cabinet's decision to create supernumerary positions, stating that the CBI could question those responsible for creating additional posts beyond the available vacancies. These supernumerary roles, which have been under scrutiny, are suspected of facilitating the recruitment of ineligible candidates through illicit means.
In July 2023, the apex court had overturned an interim order from the Calcutta High Court that dismissed 32,000 primary teachers and instructed West Bengal authorities to complete the recruitment process for the newly established vacancies within three months. The Supreme Court urged the Calcutta High Court to expedite the appeal concerning the school-jobs-for-cash scandal, emphasizing the importance of providing a hearing opportunity to all parties involved.
