Kolkata, 13 July (H.S.): Amid ongoing concerns over the SSC recruitment scam, the shadow of an alleged corruption has now deepened in the primary teacher recruitment process based on the 2014 Teacher Eligibility Test (TET). The future of around 32,000 primary school teachers is uncertain, with a crucial hearing scheduled for Monday, July 14, in the Calcutta High Court. The case will be heard by Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty’s bench.

Sources said the matter is likely to be heard at 2 PM in Courtroom No. 11. In the previous hearing, Justice Chakraborty had taken a firm stance and questioned,

“If corruption is evident, and administrative officials are involved in the sale of jobs, should a judge remain silent?”

He further made it clear that the court is not concerned with “who benefitted or didn’t benefit”, but if corruption is found, appropriate action will follow.

In a significant development, “deprived candidates” will present their arguments in court for the first time on Monday. Their lawyers may demand cancellation of the recruitment panel or even termination of all 32,000 appointments.

The controversy dates back to the 2014 TET, following which recruitment began in 2016. A total of 42,949 candidates were appointed as primary teachers. However, multiple legal petitions were filed alleging irregularities and lack of transparency in the recruitment process.

Former Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay, after examining the evidence, had ordered the cancellation of appointments for 32,000 teachers and directed the state government to initiate a fresh recruitment drive.

Challenging this order, the state government approached the division bench of the High Court. The matter is now being heard by Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty’s bench, with the next hearing slated for July 14.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey