Saturday, 26 April 2025
Saturday, 26 April 2025
The Supreme Court of India has annulled the appointments of 25,753 teachers and staff across state-run and state-aided schools in West Bengal. The court described the recruitment process as "vitiated and tainted," casting a shadow over the entire selection procedure. Below is a timeline of key events that led to this landmark ruling.
2016: West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC) initiates recruitment process of State Level Selection Test.
April 22, 2024: Calcutta HC annuls appointment of 25,753 teachers, non-teaching staff in West Bengal government-sponsored and aided schools. It declares the selection process as "null and void", orders CBI probe.
April 29: West Bengal moves SC challenging HC order.
SC stays HC order for CBI probe into recruitment scam.
It, however, refuses to stay the HC order cancelling appointments.
May 7: SC stays HC order invalidating appointments.
July 16: SC grants last opportunity to litigants, including West Bengal govt, to file responses.
Dec 19: SC commences final hearing, questions state government as to why it created supernumerary posts instead of weeding out black sheep.
January 15, 2025: Some litigants say that annulling all appointments adversely impacted lives and livelihoods of untainted candidates.
January 27: Entire selection process vitiated due to malpractice and the state wanted to "protect" the illegal appointments, say few other litigants.
February 10: SC reserves verdict on 127 pleas, says those who got jobs “wrongly” could be “knocked out”.
April 3: SC annuls appointment of 25,753 teachers and other staff in state-run and state-aided schools, orders fresh selection process.
