New Delhi :-In a significant decision impacting thousands of schoolteachers in West Bengal, the Supreme Court on Wednesday granted relief to those deemed “untainted” in the multi-crore teacher recruitment scam, allowing them to continue their service temporarily while directing the state to complete a fresh recruitment process by December 31, 2025.
A bench headed by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra noted that while illegalities had marred the recruitment process conducted by the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) in 2016, it would be unjust to penalize those candidates who had secured their positions on merit and without wrongdoing.
Relief with a Deadline
The apex court emphasized that its relief was “purely equitable and temporary in nature”, ensuring that education in government and aided schools is not disrupted while a fresh recruitment exercise is undertaken. The teachers identified as “untainted” will be allowed to continue in their posts until the new selection process concludes.
The court has instructed the WBSSC and the state government to carry out a transparent and merit-based recruitment drive by the end of the year. It also asked authorities to ensure that the new appointments are free from corruption and political interference, addressing the core issues highlighted during the investigation into the scam.
The Background
The recruitment scam, which surfaced in 2022, involved alleged manipulation of merit lists, illegal appointments, and bribes taken for teacher and non-teaching staff positions. The Calcutta High Court had earlier ordered the cancellation of nearly 25,000 appointments, creating uncertainty for thousands of teachers currently employed in state-run schools.
While upholding the High Court’s order to scrap the flawed recruitment, the Supreme Court differentiated between those who benefited from corruption and those whose selection was legitimate. It observed that the “untainted” candidates, having no role in the scam and meeting the required qualifications, should not be arbitrarily dismissed.
State Response and Future Action
Following the order, the West Bengal government has been directed to publish a revised merit list, excluding candidates who obtained jobs through fraudulent means. The court also instructed the state to ensure that affected “untainted” teachers are considered for regular appointment in the new process, based on their original merit and eligibility.
Legal experts have hailed the verdict as a balanced approach that upholds the rule of law while protecting innocent candidates caught in systemic failures.
As the deadline looms, all eyes are now on the state government and the WBSSC to implement the court’s order transparently and on time, bringing closure to one of the largest education-related controversies in West Bengal’s recent history.
