32000 Primary Teacher Case Verdict in Detail, Calcutta High Court Order
Primary Teacher Verdict: The long standing anxiety within the state’s education sector has finally come to an end. Approximately 32,000 primary teachers and their families have breathed a sigh of relief as the Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court delivered a historic verdict, setting aside the previous order of the Single Bench. The Division Bench, comprising Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty and Justice Ritubrata Kumar Mitra, clearly stated that the jobs of these 32,000 teachers remain valid, and they are not required to participate in any fresh recruitment process. After a prolonged legal battle, this verdict is being viewed as a massive victory for the teachers.
Why Was the Single Bench Order Quashed?
In May 2023, the then Justice of the Calcutta High Court, Abhijit Gangopadhyay, had ordered the cancellation of these jobs citing allegations of ‘manipulation’ in the recruitment process. However, hearing the appeal against that order, the Division Bench made several significant observations. The Court opined that an entire panel cannot be cancelled merely on the basis of suspicion or isolated irregularities.
The Court noted that these teachers have been serving with integrity for over 9 years. To dismiss them or ask them to appear for interviews anew after such a long period would be an injustice. Furthermore, the argument that candidates with low academic scores cannot perform well in interviews or aptitude tests was rejected by the bench; the court stated this cannot be considered definitive proof of corruption. The court found no substantial evidence of ‘systematic fraud’ to justify such a drastic measure.
CBI Report and Statistics
According to the investigation report submitted by the CBI during the proceedings, there was no evidence of rampant corruption as initially alleged. Irregularities were found in the cases of only a few hundred candidates out of thousands. The Court reasoned that the lives of thousands of qualified teachers cannot be jeopardized for the misdeeds of a handful of candidates.
Below is a breakdown of the irregularities as per the CBI report:
| Description | Count |
|---|---|
| Irregularities regarding Grace Marks | 264 Candidates |
| Other Complaints | 96 Candidates |
| Total Irregularities Found | 360 Candidates |
What Lies Ahead?
As a result of this Division Bench verdict, the petitioners who had filed the case hoping to secure jobs have faced a setback. The Court clarified that it is the duty of the judiciary to protect the interests of those who have been employed for a long duration. Consequently, the 32,000 teachers will continue in their posts, and contrary to the Single Bench’s earlier directive, they will not face any new examinations. Experts believe this judgment will restore stability to the state’s primary education system.
