WB recruitment scam: SC stays Calcutta HC order invalidating appointment of over 25k teachers, non-teaching staff in schools
WB recruitment scam: SC stays Calcutta HC order invalidating appointment of over 25k teachers, non-teaching staff in schools
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has temporarily stayed the Calcutta High Court’s decision that nullified the appointment of 25,753 teachers and non-teaching staff by the state’s School Service Commission (SSC) in state-run and state-aided schools.
The bench, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, allowed the CBI to proceed with its investigation, including probing members of the state cabinet. However, the court cautioned the CBI against taking any hasty actions, such as arresting suspects during the investigation.
Earlier on the same day, the Supreme Court described the alleged scam as a “systemic fraud” and emphasized that state authorities had a responsibility to maintain digitized records related to the appointment of teachers and non-teaching staff. The court was considering a series of petitions challenging the Calcutta High Court’s decision from April 22, which invalidated the appointments.
Chief Justice Chandrachud questioned the lawyers representing the state government, highlighting the scarcity of public jobs and their importance for social mobility. He expressed concern about the impact on public faith when even these appointments are tainted. The bench noted that the state government could not demonstrate that relevant data was properly maintained by the authorities and inquired about its availability.
“Public job is so scarce…. Nothing remains if the faith of the public goes. This is systemic fraud. Public jobs are extremely scarce today and are looked at for social mobility. What remains in the system if their appointments are also maligned? People will lose faith, how do you countenance this?” the CJI asked the lawyers that were representing the state government.
The court further told the state government’s lawyers, “Either you have the data or you do not have it…. You were duty-bound to maintain the documents in digitised form. Now, it is obvious that there is no data. You are unaware of the fact that your service provider has engaged another agency. You had to maintain supervisory control.” The state government had contested the Calcutta High Court’s order, arguing that it “arbitrarily” cancelled the appointments.
(With agency inputs)
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