The Supreme Court on Monday reserved its decision on a series of petitions challenging the Calcutta High Court’s verdict that invalidated the appointment of 25,753 teachers and other staff in state-run and state-aided schools across West Bengal. The apex court’s bench, led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar, concluded the hearings, stating, “Arguments heard. Judgment reserved.”
The case, which has seen the filing of 124 petitions including one by the West Bengal government itself, addresses the High Court’s ruling from April 22, 2024. The High Court had cited various irregularities such as tampering with OMR sheets and inappropriate rank-jumping in its decision to annul these appointments.
During the hearings, a formidable array of senior counsels represented the interests of both sides. Advocates Mukul Rohatgi, Ranjit Kumar, Abhishek Singhvi, Dushyant Dave, P S Patwalia, Rakesh Dwivedi, Maninder Singh, Shyam Divan, Prashant Bhushan, Meenakshi Arora, and Karuna Nandi were among those who argued in the case, highlighting its significance and complexity.
Rakesh Dwivedi, representing the state government, led the arguments against the High Court’s verdict. The Supreme Court began its final hearings on December 19 last year and had sessions on January 15, 27, and February 10 this year before coming to a conclusion on the politically sensitive matter.
