Supreme Court Halts High Court Order Nullifying Appointment of 26,000 Teachers in West Bengal

In a significant development, the Supreme Court intervened to stay a directive issued by the Calcutta High Court, which had ordered a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into an alleged teacher recruitment scam involving West Bengal government officials. The decision comes as a major relief for the Mamata Banerjee-led administration, which faced the prospect of nearly 26,000 teacher and non-teaching staff appointments being invalidated.

The apex court, led by a bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra, took up the petition filed by the West Bengal government challenging the high court’s ruling. The state government argued that the high court’s decision to cancel the appointments was done arbitrarily and without considering the broader implications.

Expressing concerns over the potential disruption to the education system, the state government highlighted the urgency of the matter and emphasized the need for a more measured approach. The cancellation of appointments would have resulted in the immediate termination of teaching and non-teaching staff, causing significant upheaval in the education sector.

The Calcutta High Court’s directive had instructed the CBI to investigate the role of state government officials in approving the creation of supernumerary posts to accommodate allegedly illegal appointments. Additionally, the high court suggested the possibility of custodial interrogation if deemed necessary.

However, the Supreme Court’s stay order effectively halts the CBI probe and prevents any further disruption to the appointments made by the School Service Commission (SSC) in state-run and state-aided schools. The decision underscores the court’s recognition of the importance of maintaining stability and continuity in the education system while ensuring a fair and thorough investigation into any allegations of wrongdoing.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the fate of the 26,000 appointed teachers and non-teaching staff hangs in the balance. The Supreme Court’s intervention marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing controversy, offering temporary respite to the embattled West Bengal government and providing a glimmer of hope for those affected by the uncertainty surrounding their appointments.

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