SC upholds Calcutta HC verdict, cancels 25,000 teaching and non-teaching appointments in Bengal

PTC Web Desk: In a major setback to the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government, the Supreme Court has upheld the Calcutta High Court’s ruling that canceled the appointment of over 25,000 teachers and non-teaching staff recruited under the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC). The apex court described the selection process as "manipulated and fraudulent," stating that its credibility had been completely "denuded."

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice PV Sanjay Kumar refused to interfere with the High Court’s decision, emphasising that the recruitment process was tainted by malpractice and fraud. The court directed the state government to conduct a fresh selection process within three months.

As per the ruling, candidates who qualify through the new selection process will not be required to return the salaries they have received since their appointment in 2016. However, those who fail to clear the fresh recruitment must refund their earnings. Additionally, persons with disabilities have been granted an exemption, allowing them to continue in their current positions.

The Mamata Banerjee government had approached the Supreme Court seeking to differentiate between "tainted" and "untainted" candidates. At the centre of the controversy are supernumerary posts allegedly created by the state government. While 23 lakh candidates appeared for the 2016 state-level selection test, the number of sanctioned vacancies was 24,640. However, 25,753 appointment letters were issued, leading to allegations of illegal recruitment.

The scandal has already led to serious repercussions for the Trinamool Congress, with multiple senior leaders, including former Education Minister Partha Chatterjee, facing legal action. Chatterjee, a close aide of Mamata Banerjee, was arrested after authorities recovered large amounts of cash linked to the scam.

Reacting to the verdict, BJP leader Amit Malviya called it a "crushing defeat" for Mamata Banerjee. He asserted that the Chief Minister must also be held accountable, stating, "Partha Chatterjee, who was caught with wads of cash, is already in jail for his role in the scam. Mamata Banerjee, under whose watch this fraud destroyed the careers of thousands of youths, must face trial."