SC quashes Calcutta HC's order for CBI probe into creation of supernumerary teacher posts

Agencies, 8 Apr 2025, New Delhi : The Supreme Court on Tuesday set aside part of the Calcutta High Court judgement ordering a CBI probe into the West Bengal cabinet's decision to create supernumerary posts in state-run and aided schools. 

The top court, however, made it clear the CBI probe as directed by the Calcutta High Court into other aspects related to the appointment of 25,753 teachers and staffers in West Bengal's state-run and aided school would continue. 

A "supernumerary post" refers to a temporary position created to accommodate an employee who is entitled to a regular post that is currently unavailable. 

A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar, on April 3, invalidated the appointment of 25,753 teachers and staffers, terming the entire selection process "vitiated and tainted".. 

The Supreme Court partially overturned a Calcutta high court order for a CBI probe into West Bengal's creation of supernumerary school staff posts, but upheld the CBI investigation into the appointment of 25,753 teachers. 

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee criticised the cancellation of appointments, calling it a conspiracy and assured support for the sacked teachers, even at the risk of imprisonment.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday set aside a portion of the Calcutta high court's directive ordering a CBI probe into the West Bengal cabinet's decision to create supernumerary posts for school staff. However, it upheld the continuation of the CBI investigation into other aspects of the appointment of 25,753 teachers and non-teaching staff in the state’s government-aided schools.

The row stems from a 2016 recruitment drive conducted by the West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC), which was struck down by the Calcutta high court for widespread irregularities. The Supreme Court recently upheld that verdict, resulting in the cancellation of over 25,000 appointments.

In response, chief minister Mamata Banerjee met with several of the affected teachers and strongly criticised the move, calling it a "conspiracy" to destroy West Bengal's education system.

“There is a conspiracy going on to destroy the education system. Teachers of classes 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th are the gateways to higher education... Many (teachers) are gold medalists, they have achieved great results in their lives, and you are calling them thieves. You are calling them incompetent, who gave you this right? Who is playing this game,” West Bengal CM said during her address.

She also expressed her unwavering support for the sacked teachers, saying, “The decision that has come cannot be taken in a positive way. For what I am saying, I may be put in jail but I don't care about that. The Supreme Court has not yet given the list of those who are eligible and have lost their jobs.”

CM Mamata assured the affected teachers of her continued support, declaring she would fight for them “as long as she is alive,” even if it meant facing jail time. While some teachers welcomed her reassurance, others voiced disappointment over the lack of a clear roadmap for reinstatement.