Tet 2014 Case: Supreme Court Big Update on Primary TET Wrong Question Case Aspirants Worried

Tet 2014 Case: A highly significant hearing regarding the West Bengal Primary Education Board and the TET 2014 wrong question case, also known as MAT 1594, took place today in the Supreme Court. After a long wait, the case was listed today in Court No. 6 at Serial No. 38. The orders passed by the court and the outcome of today’s hearing hold immense significance for thousands of aspirants. While successful candidates have heaved a sigh of relief, the petitioners and job aspirants are left worried.

Detailed below are the proceedings of the hearing, arguments by the lawyers, and the final decision of the court.

Case Background and Core Issues

The TET 2014 wrong question case is primarily between Diptendu Kundu and the West Bengal Board of Primary Education (WBBPE). The dynamics of this case are quite complex, involving multiple parties:

• Main Petitioner: Diptendu Kundu, who initially filed a case against awarding 6 marks to all candidates.
• Respondents: West Bengal Board of Primary Education (WBBPE) and Pratibha Mondal (a successful and employed candidate).
• Board’s Stance: The Board plays the role of both petitioner and respondent in different contexts here. Their main objective is to oppose granting marks to everyone indiscriminately and they are contesting the case alongside Pratibha Mondal.

Highlights of Today’s Hearing

At the very beginning of today’s hearing, the lawyers representing Diptendu Kundu sought an adjournment from the court. They stated that their senior counsel was engaged in another court and thus could not argue today. They requested the court to fix a hearing date after one week.

Arguments ensued regarding the timeline:

• Justice’s Query: The Justice inquired about the core issue of the case—whether marks are to be awarded to everyone or only to the petitioners.
• Board’s Opposition: When Diptendu Kundu’s side requested a date for the following week, the Board strongly opposed it. The Board’s counsel argued that the next week is a ‘Miscellaneous’ week, making a hearing impossible. The Board suggested that the matter be listed in January after the court reopens post-December winter vacation.
• Stance of Successful Candidates: Representing Pratibha Mondal and other employed candidates, it was submitted that since they are already in service, they have no objection to a delayed hearing.

Recruitment Deadline and a Major Blow

A critical turning point in the hearing occurred when Senior Advocate Anand drew the court’s attention to a vital deadline. He informed the court that the deadline for the ongoing primary recruitment process (based on the 2022 notification) is set to expire on December 9th.

• Lawyer’s Argument: If the case is not decided before December 9th, even if the petitioners are awarded marks and pass subsequently, they will not be able to participate in the current recruitment process.
• Court’s Decision: Despite repeated requests from the lawyers for a slot before December 9th, the Justice could not accommodate it due to lack of time. The Justice clearly directed that the next hearing of this case would take place only after the December holidays, i.e., in January.

Outcome and Impact

Today’s order has different implications for the various parties involved:

1. Bad News for Petitioners: For those who hoped that increased marks from the wrong question case verdict would allow them to pass and participate in the ongoing recruitment before December 9th, this is a major blow. With the deadline likely to be crossed, their chance to participate in the current recruitment is effectively over.
2. Relief for Board and Successful Candidates: This comes as a relief for the West Bengal Board of Primary Education and the candidates currently employed. With the case deferred, there are no immediate legal hurdles to the ongoing recruitment process.

Conclusion: The TET 2014 wrong question case has now been pushed to January. While the exact date will be notified later, the dreams of aspirants hoping to join the current recruitment process have faced a significant setback today.