'Manipulation And Fraud': BIG Blow To West Bengal Government As SC Upholds Calcutta HC's Decision To Cancel Over 25k School Staff Appointments

New Delhi: In a big blow to the Mamata Banerjee-led government in the school jobs for cash scam case, the Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the Calcutta High Court order, cancelling the appointment of teachers and non-teaching staff by the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC). There were over 25,000 teachers and non-teaching staff hired by the WBSSC in 2016.

A Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and Justice PV Sanjiv Kumar refused to stay the Calcutta High Court's decision of cancelling around 25,000 appointments made by the West Bengal Government. The top court observed that the appointments were made by manipulations and fraud.

"We have gone through the facts. Regarding the findings of this case, the entire selection process is vitiated by manipulation and fraud and credibility and legitimacy is denuded. No reason to interfere. Tainted candidates must be terminated and appointments were resultant of cheating and thus fraud," the apex court bench stated as quoted by Bar and Bench.

However, the Supreme Court said that the candidates who were already appointed are not required to hand over the salaries they have received so far. The apex court also directed the state government to complete the selection process within three months.

The alleged scam is related to various appointments made in primary and secondary schools across the state during the recruitment process in 2016. As per reports, around 23 lakh candidates appeared in the process for filling over 24,000 vacancies in the state-aided schools. According to reports, over 25,000 appointments were made by the state government.