Supreme Court Halts Calcutta HC Decision, Criticizes Bengal Government Over 25,000 School Job Cancellations

In a recent development, the Supreme Court has intervened by issuing a stay on the Calcutta High Court’s decision to terminate 25,000 teaching and non-teaching positions in state-run and state-aided schools of West Bengal. This decision comes as a significant relief to thousands of individuals whose employment was at risk following the High Court’s ruling on April 22nd, which nullified the appointment of 25,753 teachers and staff in these schools.

A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra heard a series of petitions challenging the High Court’s decision. They expressed concerns about the potential repercussions of the Calcutta High Court’s ruling, particularly for around 8,000 teachers under CBI investigation. The bench emphasized the importance of public trust in the integrity of appointments, highlighting the gravity of any malpractice in the system.

During the proceedings, the bench questioned the state government’s representatives about the maintenance and availability of relevant data pertaining to these appointments. They pointed out the government’s responsibility to maintain such records in digitized form and expressed dismay at the apparent lack of supervision over the process.

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The West Bengal government had contested the High Court’s order, arguing that the cancellations were done arbitrarily and without due consideration for the significant impact on state schools. The state emphasized the urgent need to address the resulting vacuum in staffing, especially with the new academic session approaching.

Overall, the Supreme Court’s intervention has temporarily halted the implementation of the High Court’s order, providing a reprieve for the affected individuals and highlighting the broader issues surrounding the appointment process in public institutions.