Supreme Court delays decision on 26,000 Bengal jobs, new hearing set for January 15

The Supreme Court today adjourned the hearing on the fate of 26,000 job aspirants in Bengal, whose appointments were annulled following a controversial 2016 recruitment process. The court has instructed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to submit its report by January 15. The next hearing, scheduled for that date, will examine the status of the job aspirants and could determine whether their employment is reinstated or further legal proceedings are required.

The controversy originated from the 2016 recruitment conducted by the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) for various government positions, including teaching roles. On April 22, 2024, the Kolkata High Court invalidated the recruitment process, ruling that the appointments were made in violation of the recruitment guidelines. As a result, 25,753 candidates, who had been appointed to teaching and other positions, lost their jobs. The court also instructed that these candidates be reimbursed their salaries with 12% interest over the next four weeks.

The Supreme Court was set to make a ruling today on the legality of these cancellations, but the hearing was delayed due to a change in the bench composition. The bench now consists of Chief Justice Sanjib Khanna and Justice JB Pardiwala. Legal experts note that the change required the case to be heard afresh, leading to the postponement of the decision. The CBI has been asked to submit a detailed report on the investigation into the recruitment process, including over 5,000 appointments found to have irregularities.

The candidates affected by the decision have been protesting since the Kolkata High Court’s ruling. Many of the job aspirants, including qualified teachers, have been on hunger strikes and holding protests demanding their reinstatement. “Our movement will continue until we get our jobs back,” said one protestor, emphasizing their determination to continue fighting for justice.

The case also highlights the broader issue of recruitment irregularities in Bengal. During previous hearings, the state acknowledged that there were serious concerns about the process, with several appointments allegedly made in violation of established protocols. The CBI is investigating these allegations, with the potential to uncover further instances of corruption in the recruitment process. The Supreme Court's ruling on January 15 will be pivotal in determining the future of these 26,000 job aspirants, who have been in limbo for months.