In a recent development at the Calcutta High Court, a division bench has released an appeal concerning the termination of approximately 32,000 primary school positions. The decision came after one of the bench’s judges, Justice Soumen Sen, recused himself citing a personal reason. The bench, which also includes Justice Smita Das De, has deferred the case, seeking reassignment by the Chief Justice of the High Court.
The appeal originated from the West Bengal Board of Primary Education, which challenged a prior ruling by Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay. On May 12, 2023, Justice Gangopadhyay had ordered the cancellation of appointments for around 32,000 candidates who were recruited in 2016 but had not completed requisite teacher training courses. These appointments were made in government-sponsored and aided primary schools in West Bengal, based on the results of the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) conducted two years prior.
A subsequent ruling by a division bench had stayed the order from the single bench, pending further deliberation. However, with Justice Sen’s unexpected recusal, the proceedings have hit a procedural snag. The matter now awaits reassignment to a different bench, as directed by Justice Sen and Justice Das De, in order to proceed with the appeal.
