Supreme Court to decide fate of 26,000 teachers in Kolkata SSC recruitment corruption case

The Supreme Court of India is currently examining the SSC recruitment corruption case, which involves over 26,000 teachers. The hearing, led by Chief Justice Sanjib Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar, focuses on determining whether eligible candidates can be separated from those appointed through corrupt means in the 2016 recruitment process. The state government of West Bengal has admitted to irregularities in the recruitment process, which has led to widespread concern over the future of those affected.

The corruption, identified by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), involved over 5,000 fraudulent appointments in the 2016 recruitment for teaching positions across various categories, including Group C, Group D, and higher secondary teacher posts. The state’s legal representative, Rakesh Dwivedi, acknowledged these irregularities, stating that despite the corruption, the state government had attempted to protect the affected appointments through Cabinet-level interventions.

At the heart of the Supreme Court’s examination is whether it is feasible to segregate eligible candidates from the ineligible ones. Dwivedi confirmed that the government had attempted to implement this separation, citing the evidence provided by the CBI, which had uncovered discrepancies in the recruitment process. However, Chief Justice Khanna raised concerns about the delay in this process, questioning why such separations had not been carried out earlier, particularly after the High Court’s ruling that deemed it impossible.

The case dates back to 2016, when the Kolkata High Court annulled the recruitment process, declaring it tainted by significant corruption. As a result, 25,753 appointments were canceled, and those appointed were required to return their salaries with 12% interest. This ruling also affected legitimate candidates who had been wrongfully dismissed due to the annulment of the recruitment process. The Supreme Court’s decision will now determine the next steps for these teachers, who remain in limbo as the case progresses.

The impact of this case is far-reaching, as it not only affects the future of thousands of teachers but also raises questions about the integrity of recruitment processes in the state. The hearing continues to explore how best to address the widespread corruption while ensuring that qualified candidates are not unfairly penalized.