Supreme Court Strikes Down Tainted Teacher Appointments in West Bengal
In a significant legal setback for the Mamata Banerjee-led government, the Supreme Court has upheld the Calcutta High Court’s decision to revoke the appointments of over 25,000 teachers and non-teaching staff recruited through the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC). The apex court deemed the selection process “manipulated and fraudulent,” stating that its integrity was completely compromised.
Judgment Declares Recruitment Process Illegitimate
A bench led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice PV Sanjay Kumar refused to overturn the High Court ruling, asserting that the recruitment process was deeply flawed and resulted in unlawful appointments. The court ruled that since the jobs were acquired through deceit, the appointments stood void.
Fresh Selection Process Ordered Within Three Months
The Supreme Court directed the West Bengal government to initiate a new selection process within three months. Candidates who successfully pass this new examination will not have to refund the salaries they received since 2016. However, those who fail to qualify must return the wages drawn. Notably, individuals with disabilities have been granted exemptions and will retain their current postings.
Government’s Appeal Rejected Amidst Recruitment Scandal
The Mamata Banerjee administration had challenged the High Court verdict, seeking to distinguish between lawfully and unlawfully appointed candidates. The core controversy stems from the creation of unauthorized supernumerary positions. In 2016, approximately 23 lakh aspirants took the state-level selection test for 24,640 vacancies, but 25,753 appointment letters were issued—exceeding the sanctioned limit. Allegations suggest these excess positions facilitated illicit recruitments.
Political Fallout and Corruption Allegations
The recruitment scam has severely tarnished the image of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government. Multiple high-profile leaders, including former Education Minister Partha Chatterjee, a close confidant of Mamata Banerjee, are behind bars for their alleged involvement. The case has triggered a political storm, with opposition leaders demanding accountability at the highest level.
Senior BJP leader Amit Malviya called the verdict a “crushing defeat” for Mamata Banerjee. He stated, “Mamata Banerjee’s trusted aide, Partha Chatterjee, who was caught with large sums of cash, is already in jail. The Chief Minister, who presided over this massive fraud that destroyed the futures of thousands of young aspirants, must also be held accountable.”
A Landmark Verdict with Far-Reaching Implications
The Supreme Court’s ruling underscores the importance of transparency in recruitment processes and serves as a warning against political interference in public sector hiring. The judgment paves the way for a fairer selection system, restoring faith in the state’s education sector.