WB recruitment row: SC extends tenure of untainted sacked teachers for now

In a major relief to West Bengal, the Supreme Court on Thursday, 17 April, extended the services of terminated teachers found untainted by the CBI.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar took note of the state government's submissions that teaching in various schools has been adversely impacted and fresh recruitment will take time. Students should not suffer, the court said.

The apex court, however, did not extend the services of grade ‘C’ and ‘D’ employees of the state government run and aided schools.

It directed the state government to start the recruitment process on or before May 31 and conclude it by 31 December 2025. The court asked the state government and the WBSSC (West Bengal School Service Commission) to file a compliance affidavit intimating it about the initiation of the recruitment process on or before 31 May.

On 3 April, the top court invalidated the appointment of 25,753 teachers and staffers in the state-run and aided schools, calling the entire selection process "vitiated and tainted".

It upheld a Calcutta High Court verdict of 22 April 2024, annulling the appointments and said the tainted candidates should refund their “salaries/payments received”.