GUWAHATI: The Calcutta High Court on Monday invalidated the 2016 teacher recruitment panel for classes 9-12, citing widespread illegalities in the process, which were linked to the cash-for-jobs scam. The court's decision to cancel the panel created by the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSCC) could impact nearly 24,000 jobs.
The division bench of Justice Debangsu Basak and Shabbar Rashidi issued the order, indicating that the recruitment process was compromised by fraudulent practices. The bench mandated that teachers who were hired through this panel, subsequently rendered invalid, must return the salaries they earned since their appointment.
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The court's decision followed its earlier directive to re-evaluate the OMR sheets from the 2016 recruitment exam, which is part of the ongoing investigation into the multi-tier recruitment scam. The re-evaluation revealed that numerous teachers were hired illegally, as their recruitment was based on blank OMR sheets. The court instructed those recruited under such circumstances to immediately surrender their salaries to the jurisdictional magistrate.
In response to these findings, the court cancelled all recruitments of teaching and non-teaching staff made through the WBSSC exam in 2016 and ordered the commission to initiate a fresh recruitment process. The court also directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate the matter and submit its report.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticised the court's decision terming it as "illegal." She also said that her government will challenge the verdict.
Banerjee, while addressing an election rally at Raiganj in North Bengal, said “The court verdict cancelling all recruitments is illegal. We stand by those who lost jobs. We will ensure you get justice, and challenge the order in a higher court.”
Later, addressing another rally at Karandighi, Banerjee asserted, "It is not mandatory to accept all verdicts. We will challenge the order in the Supreme Court. This order was passed as per the BJP's instructions amid the elections."
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Banerjee reassured teachers, stating they shouldn't worry. She further mentioned that her government has an additional 10 lakh job opportunities ready.
Accusing the saffron party of manipulating the judicial system, Banerjee said, "It has turned the courts into their extended party offices. If the BJP files a PIL, prompt action is taken and people are sent to jail. No action is initiated when others file.”
