• Source:JND
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The Supreme Court bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, on Tuesday set aside part of the judgment delivered by the Calcutta High Court ordering a CBI probe into the West Bengal Cabinet's decision to create supernumerary posts in state-run and aided schools.

However, the top court made it clear that the CBI investigation, as directed by the Calcutta High Court, into other aspects related to the appointment of teachers would continue.

Notably, the Calcutta High Court had ordered a CBI probe into all aspects of the recruitment of 25,753 teachers and staffers in West Bengal's state-run and aided schools.

A "supernumerary post" refers to a temporary position created to accommodate an employee who is entitled to a regular post that is currently unavailable.

Earlier on April 3, the bench comprising CJI Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar invalidated the appointment of 25,753 teachers and staffers, terming the entire selection process "vitiated and tainted".

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The row emanates from a recruitment drive conducted by the West Bengal School Service Commission in 2016. In the process, the additional teachers were recruited. However, the Calcutta High Court struck it down, citing widespread irregularities.

On April 3, the apex court upheld the Calcutta High Court decision, leading to the cancellation of all appointments.

The issue caused a stir in the state, with the opposition BJP protesting against the state CM, Mamata Banerjee. Meanwhile, Banerjee met with affected teachers and criticised the move, terming it 'a conspiracy to destroy the state's education system.'

She said, "There is a conspiracy going on to destroy the education system. Teachers of classes 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th are the gateways to higher education... Many teachers are gold medalists; they have achieved great results in their lives, and you are calling them thieves. You are calling them incompetent. Who gave you this right? Who is playing this game?”

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