Sanjoy Kumar Doloi & Anr vs The State Of West Bengal & Ors on 7 July, 2025

0
21

[ad_1]

Calcutta High Court (Appellete Side)

Sanjoy Kumar Doloi & Anr vs The State Of West Bengal & Ors on 7 July, 2025

Author: Saugata Bhattacharyya

Bench: Saugata Bhattacharyya

Form No. J(2)


                 IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA
                CONSTITUTIONAL WRIT JURISDICTION
                         APPELLATE SIDE

Present:
The Hon'ble Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya

                      W.P.A. 12505 of 2025

                    Sanjoy Kumar Doloi & Anr.
                               -vs-
                  The State of West Bengal & Ors.

                               With

                      W.P.A. 12512 of 2025

                       Arunima Paul & Ors.
                               -vs-
                  The State of West Bengal & Ors.

                               With

                      W.P.A. 12541 of 2025

                       Gopal Manna & Ors.
                               -vs-
                  The State of West Bengal & Ors.

                               With

                      W.P.A. 12643 of 2025

                      Uttam Majumdar & Ors.
                               -vs-
                  The State of West Bengal & Ors.

                               With

                      W.P.A. 12713 of 2025
                                        2




                      Ujjwal Kumar Majhi & Ors.
                                     -vs-
                  The State of West Bengal & Ors.

                                     With

                         W.P.A. 12730 of 2025

                          Bharat Saren & Ors.
                                     -vs-
                  The State of West Bengal & Ors.

                                     With

                         W.P.A. 13160 of 2025

                     Paban Kumar Mishra & Anr.
                                     -vs-
                  The State of West Bengal & Ors.

                                     With

                         W.P.A. 13457 of 2025

                           Bibek Paria & Ors.
                                     -vs-
                  The State of West Bengal & Ors.


For the Petitioners in WPA 13457/25: Mr. Anindya Mitra,
                                     Mr. Sounak Ghosh,
                                     Mr. Sakhawat Khandakar,
                                     Ms. Swati Jha
For the Petitioners in WPA 12505/25: Mr. Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharyya,
                                     Mr. Sudipta Dasgupta,
                                     Mr. Bikram Banerjee,
                                     Mr. Sondwip Sutradhar
For the Petitioners in WPA 12512/25
& WPA 12541/25                     : Mr. Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharyya,
                                     Mr. Firdous Samim,
                                     Ms. Gopa Biswas,
                                     Ms. Payel Shome,
                                     Mr. Rishabh Ahmad Khan,
                                     Mr. Hasanuz Zaman Molla,
                                     Mr. Moinak Ghosal
                                     Ms. Ankita Dey
                                       3




For the Petitioners in WPA 13160/25: Mr. Subir Sanyal,
                                     Mr. Ali Ahsan Alamgir
                                     Ms. Rabia Khatoon,
                                     Ms. Soma Mal
For the Petitioners in WPA 12713/25: Mr. Pratik Dhar,
                                     Mr. Sounak Ghosh,
                                     Mr. Sakhawat Khandakar,
                                     Ms. Swati Jha

For the Petitioners in WPA 12730/25: Mr. Shyamal Kumar Mukherjee,
                                     Mr. Pradip Saren,
                                     Mr. Soumik Ghosh,
                                     Ms. Saheli Hembram
For the Petitioners in WPA 12643/25: Mr. Shuvro P. Lahiri,
                                     Mr. R. Naskar,
                                     Mr. A. Mondal

For the State in                   : Mr. Kishore Dutta, Ld. AG
                                    Mr. Sirsanya Bandopadhyay,
                                    Mr. Biswabrta Basu Mallick,
                                    Mr. Supriyo Chattopadhyay,
              `                     Mr. Vivekananda Bose,
                                    Mr. Debanjan Mandal,
                                    Mr. Sandip Dasgupta,
                                    Mr. Debayan Sen,
                                    Ms. Mahima Cholera,
                                    Mr. Niket Ojha
                                    Mr. Akash Dutta,
                                    Ms. Sayantanee Bhattacharyya,
                                    Ms. Tapati Samanta,
                                    Mr. Soumen Chatterjee,
                                    Mr. K. M. Hossasin,
                                    Ms. Iti Dutta
For the WBCSSC                    : Mr. Kalyan Kumar Banerjee,
                                    Mr. Biswaroop Bhattacharya,
                                    Mr. Rahul Singh
For the WBBSE                     : Ms. Koyeli Bhattacharyya,
                                    Mr. Bibek Dutta


Hearing concluded on : 07.07.2025

Judgment on: 07.07.2025
                                     4




Saugata Bhattacharyya, J.:

1) Affidavits-of-service filed on behalf of the petitioners

are taken on record.

2) All the writ petitions are taken up for consideration

since common issue is involved excluding writ petition being

WPA 12602 of 2025 (Malati Ghosh & Ors. Vs. State of West

Bengal & Ors.).

3) Documents filed in support of depositing Court Fees in

respect of writ petitions where number of writ petitioner is

more than one are taken on record.

4) In all the matters it has been argued on behalf of the

petitioners that they are untainted candidates of 1st State

Level Selection Test, 2016 (for short “1st SLST, 2016”) for

Classes IX & X and XI & XII.

5) Challenge has been thrown to West Bengal School

Service Commission (Selection for Appointment to the Posts

of Assistant Teachers for Upper Primary Level of Classes

[except Work Education and Physical Education], Classes

IX-X and Classes XI-XII) Rules, 2025 (hereinafter referred to

as “said Rules of 2025”) and recruitment notification dated

30th May, 2025 issued by the Secretary, West Bengal Central

School Service Commission vide memo No.

1092/7016/CSSC/ESTT/2025.

5

6) Mr. Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharyya, learned senior

advocate representing some of the petitioners submits that

in terms of the judgment of the Hon’ble Division Bench

dated 22nd April, 2024 and the subsequent judgment

delivered by the Hon’ble Supreme Court on 3rd April, 2025

read with order passed on 17th April, 2025 on Miscellaneous

Application No.709 of 2025 in Civil Appeal No. 4805 of 2025

which was taken out by the West Bengal Board of Secondary

Education vacancies earmarked for 1st SLST, 2016 are

required to be filled up in terms of previous Recruitment

Rules of 2016 which were applied for conducting 1st SLST,

2016 for Classes IX & X and XI & XII.

7) Attention of this Court has been drawn to paragraph

363(xi) of the judgment dated 22nd April, 2024 passed by the

Hon’ble Division Bench and according to the petitioners

West Bengal Central School Service Commission (for short

“WBCSSC”) needs to undertake a fresh selection process in

respect of declared vacancies of 1st SLST, 2016 for Classes

IX & X and XI & XII within a specified time.

8) Reliance is placed on the judgment of the Hon’ble

Supreme Court dated 3rd April, 2025 (paragraph 45

onwards) wherein it was observed that the judgment of the

Hon’ble Division Bench dated 22nd April, 2024 needs no

alteration and it is also contended in consideration of the
6

observations made in paragraph 49 of the judgment of the

Hon’ble Supreme Court dated 3rd April, 2025 that only

untainted candidates and differently-abled candidates ought

to be permitted to participate in the selection process which

has been initiated by issuing recruitment notification dated

30th May, 2025.

9) It is submitted that there is no express bar in the

recruitment notification dated 30th May, 2025 for the

candidates who were termed as “tainted” by the Hon’ble

Supreme Court from participating in the ensuing selection

process for which recruitment notification has been issued

on 30th May, 2025. In other words, it is also submitted that

notification dated 30th May, 2025 also invited tainted

candidates to offer their candidature which is in the teeth of

observations made by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the

judgment dated 3rd April, 2025 and subsequent order dated

17th April, 2025.

10) Another limb of submission made by Mr.

Bhattacharyya is against some of the provisions contained

in said Rules of 2025. It is submitted that Recruiting

Authority ought not to have altered the provisions relating to

fixation of 50% marks instead of 45% which was in earlier

recruitment rules in graduation/post graduation level which

would enable the candidates to be adjudged as eligible.
7

According to the petitioners, distribution of marks i.e. 10 for

prior teaching experience, 10 for interview and 10 for lecture

demonstration ought not to have been provided which would

grant the Recruiting Authority and the Interview Board

unbridled power to allot marks indiscriminately. It is

submitted that without clamping embargo on tainted

candidates if candidature of those candidates are appraised

on the anvil of the rules relating to allotment of marks as

contained in said Rules of 2025 that would lead to a

situation where untainted candidates will be allotted marks

for past experience for which 10 marks is earmarked.

Placing reliance on the order dated 17th April, 2025 of the

Hon’ble Supreme Court, it is also submitted that scope is

not extended to the tainted candidates to participate in the

selection process.

11) Reliance is placed on the judgment of the Hon’ble

Supreme Court reported in (2012) 8 SCC 106 (Ms.

Mayawati Vs. Union of India & Ors.). According to the

petitioners, in paragraph 44 of Ms. Mayawati (supra) Court

observed that CBI exceeded its jurisdiction in lodging FIR

since there was no specific direction made by the Court in

particular order. The ratio in Ms. Mayawati (supra),

according to the petitioners, is applicable in the present case

in view of the observations made in the judgment dated 3rd
8

April, 2025 read with order dated 17th April, 2025 both

passed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court where selection

process which was required to be conducted, was directed

not for tainted candidates but WBCSSC has exceeded its

jurisdiction by permitting tainted candidates to offer

candidature in terms of recruitment notification dated 30th

May, 2025 which is without jurisdiction.

12) Mr. Anindya Mitra, learned senior advocate

representing other group of petitioners at the threshold has

submitted that prayer (b) of the writ petition being WPA

13457 of 2025 is not pressed wherein declaration is sought

for to the extent of declaring said Rules of 2025 and

recruitment notification dated 30th May, 2025 ultra vires.

Placing reliance on paragraph 49 of the judgment dated 3rd

April, 2025, it is argued only two categories of candidates

were permitted to participate by the Hon’ble Supreme Court

which are differently- abled and untainted candidates. It is

also submitted that door is closed for tainted candidates as

there is no observation which can lead to an inference that

tainted candidates were permitted to participate in the

selection process in question. It is argued that vacant posts

which were earmarked for 1st SLST, 2016 for Classes IX & X

and XI XII may not be reduced. Candidates who are not

tainted but did not participate in 1st SLST, 2016 should not
9

be considered against the posts which were earmarked for

1st SLST, 2016 for Classes IX & X and XI and XII as those

posts are only to be considered against untainted candidates

based on notification dated 30th May, 2025. It is submitted

that age relaxation has not been provided in said Rules of

2025 properly and fixed the minimum marks i.e. 50% in

graduation/post graduation level which is contrary to the

judgment delivered by the Hon’ble Supreme Court dated 3rd

April, 2025.

13) Another limb of submission advanced by Mr. Mitra is

order passed in violation of the Hon’ble Supreme Court is

ultra vires and in this regard reliance is placed on the

judgment dated 3rd May, 2010 passed on intra-court appeal

being MAT 169 of 2010 (Nilmadhab Das & Ors. Vs. State of

West Bengal & Ors.).

14) Mr. Dhar, learned Senior Advocate representing some

of the petitioners has restricted his submission to the extent

of extending the time beyond 14th July, 2025 fixed for

submission of applications in terms of recruitment

notification dated 30th May, 2025. It is submitted that order

dated 17th April, 2025 of the Hon’ble Supreme Court fixed

the cut-off date for issuance of recruitment notification and

completion of selection process. Those are 31st May, 2025

and 31st December, 2025 respectively. According to the
10

petitioners, in the absence of cut-off date fixed for submitting

applications there is no impediment in extending the time to

submit applications beyond 14th July, 2025 as fixed under

notification dated 30th May, 2025. Reliance is placed on

paragraph 6 of the judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court

reported in (1996) 6 SCC 291 (J.S. Parihar Vs. Ganpat

Duggar & Ors.) to contend that when an order passed by the

Government on the basis of the directions issued by the

Court there arises a fresh cause of action to seek redressal in

an appropriate forum. Therefore, petitioners are eligible in

terms of principles of law enunciated by the Hon’ble

Supreme Court to approach this Court questioning the steps

taken by respondent authorities in terms of judgment dated

3rd April, 2025 read with order dated 17th April, 2025 and

petitioners need not approach directly before the Hon’ble

Supreme Court.

15) Mr. Sanyal, learned senior advocate representing

another batch of petitioners has relied upon order passed by

this Court on a batch of writ petitions first one being WPA

6695 of 2024 (Pampa Dutta Dhar & Ors. Vs. Union of

India & Ors.) dated 13th June, 2025 in order to submit that

in Pampa Dutta Dhar (supra) this Court extended the time

to scrutinize training qualification of the petitioners beyond

the time fixed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court. Therefore, in
11

the present case also petitioners have rightly approached

before this Court questioning said Rules of 2025 and

subsequent recruitment notification dated 30 th April, 2025.

It is submitted that it is open to the respondents to approach

the Hon’ble Supreme Court for extension of time to complete

the steps which are required to be taken to conclude the

selection process.

16) On the contrary, Mr. Bandyopadhyay, learned senior

advocate representing WBSSC made submissions based on

the observations made by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the

judgment dated 3rd April, 2025. In reference to observations

made in paragraph 49 of the judgment dated 3rd April, 2025,

it is submitted that recruitment notification dated 30th May,

2025 has been issued in consonance with the directions of

the Hon’ble Supreme Court and according to Mr.

Bandyopadhyay observations made in paragraph 49 reveals

a situation where tainted candidates will not get benefit of

age relaxation whereas differently-abled and untainted

candidates will get same benefit.

17) There is an alternative submission made on behalf of

WBCSSC that on interpretation of paragraph 49 of the

judgment dated 3th April, 2025 if it is derived that only

untainted candidates will get chance, in that event tainted

and unsuccessful candidates in 1st SLST, 2016 for classes IX
12

& X and XI & XII will be excluded from the recruitment

process which has been initiated vide recruitment

notification dated 30th May, 2025. In reference to the

observations made by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the

judgment dated 3rd April, 2025 in paragraphs 45 and 46, it is

submitted that since some candidates were found to be

tainted based on fraud which amounts to cheating those

candidates lost their jobs and they were compelled to refund

their salary. After imposition of aforesaid punishment those

candidates should not be punished again by debarring them

to participate in the selection process initiated vide

recruitment notification dated 30th May, 2025. In this

regard, reliance is placed on provisions as contained in

Articles 20 and 21 of the Constitution of India.

18) Lastly, Mr. Kishore Datta, learned Advocate General

representing State respondents submits that this Court may

not interpret the order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court and it

is not within the domain of this Court to attribute its own

interpretation to the observations made by the Hon’ble

Supreme Court in the judgment dated 3rd April, 2025 read

with order dated 17th April, 2025. Mr. Dutta in different

manner has attempted to interpret the observations made by

the Hon’ble Supreme Court in paragraph 49 of the judgment

dated 3rd April, 2025. It is contended right of participation of
13

a candidate cannot be taken away permanently if such

candidate is found to be tainted after losing job and

refunding salary. According to Mr. Datta, if such right of

participation is taken away that would lead to a situation

where candidates will be punished twice and that will be

against the principle of law as provided in part III of the

Constitution. It is also submitted that Hon’ble Supreme

Court has never barred tainted candidates from participating

in the future selection process, therefore, observations made

in the judgment dated 3rd April, 2025 needs appropriate

interpretation.

19) While considering rival submissions made on behalf of

the parties, the issue which needs consideration is whether

in the light of the judgment delivered by the Hon’ble Division

Bench dated 22nd April, 2024 which merged with the

judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court dated 3rd April, 2025

read with subsequent order dated 17th April, 2025 passed

also by the Hon’ble Supreme Court tainted candidates can

participate in the selection process which has been initiated

vide recruitment notification dated 30th May, 2025 or not.

20) In order to find answer to this issue, this Court first

needs to rely upon the judgment of the Hon’ble Division

Bench dated 22nd April, 2024 wherein paragraph 363(xi) it

was observed that WBCSSC to undertake a fresh selection
14

process in respect of the declared vacancies involved in

particular selection processes within a particular time. Said

judgment dated 22nd April, 2024 travelled before the Hon’ble

Supreme Court and while disposing of the appeals judgment

dated 3rd April, 2025 was delivered. This Court finds it apt

to quote that part of the judgment which comes under the

heading “Conclusion”:-

“Conclusion

45. The last question relates to the relief and

whether it requires any modification. We find no valid

ground or reason to interfere with the direction of the

High Court that the services of tainted candidates, where

appointed, must be terminated, and they should be

required to refund any salaries/payments received.

Since their appointments were the result of fraud, this

amounts to cheating. Therefore, we see no justification

to alter this direction.

46. For candidates not specifically found to be

tainted, the entire selection process has been rightly

declared null and void due to the egregious violations

and illegalities, which violated Articles 14 and 16 of the

Constitution. As such, the appointments of these

candidates are cancelled. However, candidates who are

already employed need not be asked to refund or
15

restitute any payments made to them. However, their

services will be terminated. Furthermore, no candidate

can be appointed once the entire examination process

and results have been declared void.

47. Some of the appointed candidates who do not

fall within the category of tainted candidates may have

previously worked in different departments of the State

Government or with autonomous bodies, etc. In such

cases, although their appointments are cancelled, these

candidates will have the right to apply to their previous

departments or autonomous bodies to continue in

service with those entities. These applications must be

processed by the respective government departments or

bodies within three months, and the candidates will be

allowed to resume their positions. Further, the period

between the termination of their previous appointment

and their rejoining will not be considered a break in

service. Their seniority and other entitlements will be

preserved, and they will be eligible for increments.

However, for the period they were employed under the

disputed appointment, no wages will be paid by the

State Government o0r autonomous bodies. Further, if

required and necessary, supernumerary posts may be

created for persons appointed in the interregnum.
16

48. Lastly, we address the case of disabled

candidates. Our attention has been drawn to one such

case where the impugned judgment held that the

appointee, Ms. Soma Das, shall be allowed to continue on

humanitarian grounds. While we will not interfere with

this finding, we make it clear that other differently abled

candidates will not be entitled to the same benefit, as it

would contradict legal principles and the rule of law.

However, in consideration of their disability, these

candidates will be permitted to continue and will receive

wages until the fresh selection process and

appointments are completed.

49. The disabled candidates mentioned in the

previous paragraph will be allowed to participate in the

fresh selection process, if required, will age relaxation

and other concessions. Similarly, other candidates who

are not specifically tainted will also be eligible to

participate, with appropriate age relaxation. In our

opinion, such a direction would be fair and just, as it

would allow these candidates to take part in the fresh

selection process, which should now be initiated to fill

the vacancies.

50. Our observations and findings would not

influence the criminal proceedings.

17

51. Accordingly, we uphold the impugned

judgment cancelling en block/ entire selection process

but have made certain modifications in the directions

issued by the High Court. The appeals are disposed of in

aforesaid terms.

52. We, however, will independently take up the

issue raised in the appeals(s) filed by the State of West

Bengal with regard to the direction of investigation by

the CBI on the decision taken to create supernumerary

posts. The Special Leave Petition(s) to this extent will be

listed for hearing on 08th April, 2025.

53. All pending applications, including

impleadment applications, also stand disposed of. No

order as to costs.”

Subsequently West Bengal Board of Secondary Education

took out a Miscellaneous Application being Miscellaneous

Application No. 709 of 2025 in Civil Appeal No. 4805 of 2025

[West Bengal Board of Secondary Education Vs. Baishakhi

Bhattacharyya (Chatterjee)]. This order dated 17 th April, 2025

is quoted below:-

“O R D E R

We are inclined to accept the prayer made in the

present application insofar as it relates to Assistant
18

Teachers for Classes IX and X and Classes XI and XII not

found to be tainted, subject to the following conditions:-

1. An advertisement for fresh recruitment to the aforesaid

post(s) shall be published before 31.05.2025.

2. The examination and the entire recruitment process

shall be completed by 31.12.2025.

3. The State Government, applicant/appellant, West Bengal

Board of Secondary Education, and the West Bengal

Central School Service Commission shall file their

respective affidavits by 31.05.2025, enclosing therewith

a copy of the advertisement for the fresh recruitment as

well as the schedule therefore, so as to ensure

completion of the recruitment process by 31.12.2025.

4. In case the advertisement is not published by

31.05.2025 and the affidavits are not filed by that date,

appropriate orders will be passed by this Court,

including imposition of costs and vacating of the present

order.

We clarify that this order shall not be read as conferring

any special right or advantage on the aforesaid teachers,

insofar as the fresh recruitment process is concerned.

We are not inclined to accept the prayer in the present

application insofar as non-teaching posts in Groups C

and D are concerned, as the number of appointees
19

specifically found to be tainted, in the said groups, is

substantively high and secondly, what has prompted us

to pass this order in respect of Assistant Teachers not

found be tainted is that students undergoing study

presently should not suffer on account of the lack of

teachers and the lapses and failures, which have

resulted in the order passed by this Court.

The Miscellaneous Application stands disposed of in the

aforesaid terms.”

21) On bare perusal of the concluding part of the judgment

dated 3rd April, 2025, it is crystal clear that on finding

egregious irregularities offending Articles 14 and 16 of the

Constitution of India entire selection process was set at

naught resulting in cancellation of engagement of two

categories of candidates, one category was termed as

“tainted” and another was “untainted”. While dealing with

appointment of tainted candidates in paragraph 45 of the

judgment dated 3rd April, 2025, it was categorically observed

by the Hon’ble Supreme Court that their appointment was

result of fraud, which amounts to cheating, based on which

judgment of the Hon’ble Division Bench dated 22nd April,

2024 was not interfered with so far as tainted candidates are

concerned. At the same time, while dealing with case of
20

untainted candidates, it was observed in paragraph 46 of the

judgment dated 3rd April, 2025 that entire selection process

was declared null and void due to irregularities which

violated Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution. Therefore,

Hon’ble Supreme Court found it fit to cancel the

appointment of untainted candidates too. Untainted

candidates were not required to refund their salary which

they received after their appointment but such relief was not

granted to the tainted candidates. Only common feature in

between tainted and untainted candidates which was found

by the Hohn’ble Supreme Court is appointment of both

categories of candidates was required to be declared null and

void. Therefore in paragraphs 45 and 46 of the Judgment

dated 3rd April, 2025 there is no grey area in differentiating

tainted and untainted candidates and same stands fortified if

one considers observation made in paragraph 49 of the

judgment dated 3rd April, 2025.

22) Though argument has been advanced on behalf of

WBCSSC and State respondents that difference made by the

Hon’ble Supreme Court in between tainted and untainted

candidates is only to the extent of granting or non-granting

benefit of age relaxation but on plain reading of the relevant

part of the judgment dated 3rd April, 2025 different situation

emanates.

21

23) It appears to this Court that there is substance in the

submission made on behalf of the petitioners that by no

stretch of imagination on reading paragraphs 45, 46 and 49

of the judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court dated 3rd

April, 2025, it can be construed that tainted candidates were

permitted to participate in the selection process which was

required to be initiated in terms of the said judgment without

benefit of age relaxation.

24) This Court needs to advert to another issue as it is

found from Schedule II of the said Rules of 2025 that ten

marks are allotted for prior teaching experience out of total

100 marks. If Court accepts the submissions made on

behalf of State respondents as well as WBCSSC that tainted

candidates were not barred by the judgment dated 3rd April,

2025 from participating in the selection process in that event

while appraising their candidature during interview those

tainted candidates would be permitted to be awarded marks

against their prior teaching experience which is found to be

in teeth of the observations made by the Hon’ble Supreme

Court in paragraphs 45 and 49 of the Judgment dated 3rd

April, 2025. It was observed in paragraph 45 of the

judgment dated 3rd April, 2025 that appointments of tainted

candidates were result of fraud which amounts to cheating.
22

25) This Court has refused to interfere with the challenge

thrown to the said Rules of 2025 that enhanced minimum

qualifying marks in graduation/ post-graduation level from

45% to 50%, which according to the petitioners, is contrary

to the judgment delivered by the Hon’ble Division Bench.

26) It is also contended that vacancies for 1 st SLST, 2016

for Classes IX & X and XI & XII are to be earmarked

separately and appointments on such vacancies are to be

confined to the untainted candidates who participated in the

previous selection process that is 1st SLST, 2016 for Classes

IX & X and XI & XII.

27) Based on observations made by the Hon’ble Division

Bench in the judgment dated 22nd April, 2024 it is further

contended on behalf of the petitioners that previous

recruitment rules is required to be pressed into service while

accommodating untainted candidates against the posts

earmarked for 2016 selection process.

28) On reading of the judgment of the Hon’ble Division

Bench dated 22nd April, 2024 which merged with the

judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court dated 3rd April,

2025, it does not appear that recruiting authority cannot

enhance the number of vacancies meant for 1st SLST, 2016

for Classes IX & X and XI & XII by clubbing subsequent

vacancies. What is required is inclusion of vacancies which
23

were meant for 1st SLST, 2016 for Classes IX & X and XI &

XII. Similarly, nowhere any embargo has been imposed

thereby preventing State authorities including WBCSSC from

framing separate rules for filling up those vacancies.

29) Fixation of minimum marks in a selection process

which in the present case has been fixed as 50% instead of

45% which was prevalent in graduation and post graduation

level is policy decision of the recruiting authority which

ought not to be interfered with.

30) In view of aforesaid discussion, respondent authorities

including WBCSSC are directed to proceed with the selection

process which started vide recruitment notification dated

30th May, 2025 but in the said selection process tainted

candidates shall not be permitted to participate. If any

tainted candidate has submitted application in order to offer

his or her candidature pursuant to said recruitment

notification dated 30th May, 2025 same stands cancelled.

31) It is also directed that time schedule which was fixed

by the Hon’ble Supreme Court vide order dated 17th April,

2025 passed on Miscellaneous Application No. 709 of 2025

shall be strictly adhered to by the respondent authorities to

bring the selection process into logical conclusion.

32) All the writ petitions stand disposed of.
24

33) Urgent photostat certified copy of this judgment, if

applied for, be given to the parties on usual undertakings.

(Saugata Bhattacharyya, J.)

Later

1. After order is dictated on behalf of WBCSCC prayer is

made for stay of operation of this order to the extent of

debarring tainted candidates from participating in the

selection process based on notification dated 30th May,

2025. Such prayer is considered and refused.

2. To the extent of not entertaining the prayer of the

petitioners whereby case has been made out against

certain provisions of said Rules of 2025 relating to fixation

of minimum marks in graduation /post graduation level

to adjudge eligible candidates to participate in the

selection process and changing pattern of allotment of

marks, prayer is made for stay of operation of same.

Such prayer is also considered and refused.

( Saugata Bhattacharyya, J.)

Ct.18
(Suvendu)

[ad_2]

Source link

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here