Supreme Court to Review West Bengal School Jobs Cancellation Case on Monday
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Synopsis
The Supreme Court will examine petitions related to the cancellation of 25,753 teaching and non-teaching appointments by the West Bengal government. This follows a ruling from the Calcutta High Court that invalidated these posts, raising concerns about the legitimacy of the recruitment process.
Key Takeaways
- Supreme Court to hear petitions on school job cancellations.
- 25,753 appointments made by WBSSC in 2016 are under review.
- Calcutta High Court previously annulled these appointments.
- Investigation by CBI continues into alleged recruitment fraud.
- New recruitment process ordered by Calcutta HC.
New Delhi, Feb 9 (NationPress) The Supreme Court is set to review a series of petitions on Monday, which includes the West Bengal government's appeal against the Calcutta High Court's ruling that invalidated 25,753 appointments in both teaching and non-teaching positions made by the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) in 2016.
According to information available on the apex court's website, a bench led by CJI Sanjiv Khanna along with Justice Sanjay Kumar will continue the proceedings on February 10 at 2 PM.
During a previous session, the Supreme Court instructed the completion of pleadings and provided a final opportunity for the private respondents (those who initiated writ petitions at the Calcutta HC) to submit their counter-affidavits.
Furthermore, it appointed four nodal counsels to assist in the distribution of a unified compilation of pleadings regarding the case.
On May 7, 2024, a bench led by then CJI D.Y. Chandrachud suspended the execution of the Calcutta High Court's controversial ruling that annulled the school jobs. The CJI Chandrachud-headed bench permitted the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to proceed with its inquiry into the alleged scam but prohibited 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 declared the appointments of candidates selected from expired panels null and void, demanding that they return all salaries received during their employment, along with an annualized interest of 12 percent, within four weeks.
Aside from directing the WBSSC to restart the recruitment process, a division bench consisting of Justices Debangsu Basak and Shabbar Rashidi also instructed the investigation agency to persist with its inquiries.
Recognizing the state Cabinet's decision to create super-numeric posts, the court stated that the CBI could question those behind the creation of these excess posts if deemed necessary.
These super-numeric positions, which have been questionable since their inception, are believed to facilitate the recruitment of ineligible candidates through illegal means. In July 2023, the apex court overturned an interim ruling from the Calcutta High Court that resulted in the termination of 32,000 primary teachers, instructing the West Bengal authorities to finalize the recruitment process for the newly established vacancies within three months.
The Supreme Court urged the high court to expedite the case concerning the school-jobs-for-cash scam, emphasizing that all parties should be given an opportunity to be heard.
