Calcutta HC cancels appointment of 36,000 teachers citing corrupt practices

Kolkata, 13th May 2023: The Calcutta HC today cancelled the appointment of around 36,000 candidates who were untrained at the time of their recruitment as primary teachers in government schools.

Justice Abhijit Gangopadhay observed that the system was maimed by corruption and added that ‘corruption of this magnitude’ was never known in the state.

The appointed teachers were untrained back in 2016, at the time of their requirement, and there was no aptitude test administered to the teachers. The former board officials, including former president Manik Bhattacharya, are now in custody after arrest by the Enforcement Directorate for the alleged transaction of huge amounts of money in the recruitment procedure.

The court has now directed the government to arrange for recruitment exercises only for the candidates back in 2016 who participated in the appointment process. The selected candidates with training qualifications will also be included in the exercise.