SSC Recruitment Scam Supreme Court Hearing Update on 26000 Teacher Job Cancellation
SSC Contempt Case: The fate of 26,000 teachers and non-teaching staff in West Bengal hangs in the balance as the Supreme Court resumed the hearing on the high-profile SSC recruitment scam. Today’s session focused on the contempt of court petition filed against the state authorities for failing to comply with the previous order regarding the cancellation of jobs and recovery of salaries from ineligible candidates.
On January 28, 2026, the Supreme Court bench comprising Justice Sanjay Kumar and Justice K. Vinod Chandran reviewed the progress of the case, leading to significant procedural updates.
Background of the Contempt Case
The genesis of this legal battle lies in the Supreme Court’s earlier directive issued in April 2025. The Apex Court had explicitly ordered the cancellation of appointments of 26,000 teachers and non-teaching staff identified as ‘tainted’ or illegally recruited. Furthermore, the court mandated the recovery of salaries drawn by these individuals, along with interest.
The contempt petition was filed by concerned stakeholders, alleging that despite clear instructions, the West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC) and the State Government had failed to initiate the recovery process or effectively cancel the appointments, thereby undermining the court’s authority.
Highlights from the Courtroom
The hearing took place in Court Number 12. At the outset, the junior counsel representing the petitioners requested an adjournment. It was submitted that their Senior Counsel had received the necessary affidavits and documents only yesterday. Consequently, the legal team sought three weeks to meticulously examine the papers and prepare their arguments.
Although the counsels for the SSC were present and ready to proceed, the Bench acceded to the petitioners’ request to ensure a fair hearing and to allow the completion of the affidavit exchange process.
Case Data Summary:
| Case Type | Contempt Petition (Job Cancellation & Salary Recovery) |
| Bench | Justice Sanjay Kumar & Justice K. Vinod Chandran |
| Key Petitioners | Lakshmi Tunga, Setabuddin, Soma Mondal, Alok Kumar Khan |
| Respondent | Vinod Kumar (and others) |
State’s Inaction and Future Implications
The role of the state administration remains under scrutiny. On December 31, 2025, the State Education Department issued a directive to District Magistrates to arrange for the recovery of salaries from ineligible teachers. However, reports suggest that no tangible action has been observed on the ground over the last month.
In the upcoming sessions, the state will be required to file affidavits explaining the delay. They must clarify why the process of recovering public money has not commenced despite the court’s stringent orders.
Next Hearing Date
After considering the requests, the Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing for March 25, 2026. The court has directed all parties to complete the filing of affidavits and counter-affidavits by this date. The upcoming hearing in March is expected to be crucial in determining the final outcome for the thousands of employees involved in this litigation.
