Overview
- Justices Tapabrata Chakraborty and Reetobroto Kumar Mitra set aside the May 12, 2023 single-judge order by Abhijit Gangopadhyay that had annulled the appointments.
- The court said evidence did not establish systemic malice, warned against roving inquiries, and noted services cannot be terminated solely on the basis of ongoing criminal proceedings.
- Probe updates placed before the bench showed the CBI flagged 264 suspect cases and another 96 later came under scrutiny, with no proof of external instructions to award extra marks.
- The bench quashed directions for a fresh statewide recruitment exercise and refused a stay, effectively allowing the teachers to continue unless a higher court intervenes.
- Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee welcomed the ruling as relief for families, while petitioners and BJP representatives said they will appeal to the Supreme Court as CBI/ED investigations continue.