The Supreme Court provided significant relief to the West Bengal government on Monday by issuing a stay on the CBI investigation into the teacher recruitment scam. This decision came during the apex court’s hearing of the West Bengal government’s petition against the Calcutta High Court’s ruling, which invalidated the appointments of 25,753 teachers.
Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Mishra, comprising the bench, stated that the matter will be heard next on May 6. They announced, “We will stay the directive mandating the CBI to conduct further investigation against state government officials.”
In its ruling, the Calcutta High Court had ordered the CBI to conduct a thorough investigation into individuals within the state government involved in approving additional posts to accommodate illegal appointments. The High Court directed the CBI to take necessary actions, including potential arrests and interrogations. Contesting this ruling, the state government argued before the apex court that the High Court’s decision was arbitrary, especially regarding the cancellation of appointments.
The petition filed by the state government highlighted the High Court’s failure to comprehend the repercussions of canceling the entire selection process. The sudden dismissal of appointed teaching and non-teaching staff without allowing the state adequate time to address the situation has brought the education system to a standstill.
The Supreme Court’s intervention, by staying the CBI investigation and scheduling a further hearing, provides a temporary reprieve to the West Bengal government amidst the ongoing legal battle over the teacher recruitment scandal.
