• By Aditya Jha
  • Thu, 17 Apr 2025 01:35 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

In a temporary relief to the West Bengal teachers whose appointments were cancelled earlier this month, the Supreme Court on Thursday stated that they could continue teaching until the fresh selection process is completed. The apex court emphasised that the students must not suffer, adding that the relief is temporary and only for the 'untainted' teachers. It confirmed that the relief is only for the teachers whose names were not linked to any irregularity during the appointments.

Apart from this, the Chief Justice of India, Sanjiv Khanna, said that the Bengal School Service Commission (SSC) must release advertisements for fresh recruitment of teachers before May 31, adding that the full selection process must be concluded by December 31. He further stated that strict action will be taken if the ad is not published as per the deadline.

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"The state government and the commission shall file an affidavit on or before May 31, enclosing the ad copy as well as the schedule so as to ensure the completion of the recruitment process by December 31. In case the ad is not published as directed, appropriate orders shall be passed, including imposition of costs," the Chief Justice said.

However, the bench emphasised that the relief will not be applicable to the non-teaching staff. More than 25,000 employees of Group C and Group D whose appointments were cancelled would not continue their services.

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"We are not inclined to accept the prayers of Group C and D employees as the number of established tainted candidates is higher in number. What has prompted us to pass this order for untainted assistant teachers is that students undergoing studies should not suffer on account of the order passed by this court," the bench stated.

Earlier, the apex court invalidated the appointment of 25,753 teachers and other staff in state-run and state-aided schools in West Bengal, citing irregularities in recruitment.