In a significant development in the SSC teacher recruitment case, the Supreme Court on Monday stayed the Calcutta High Court’s directive that had granted age relaxation to a section of new candidates. As a result, the High Court’s order will not be implemented for now.
Earlier, while hearing the 2016 SSC recruitment scam case, the Supreme Court had observed that candidates who were not involved in any irregularities, described as “untainted,” could be considered for age relaxation in future recruitment processes. Seeking clarity on this observation, several new applicants approached the Calcutta High Court. The High Court interpreted the apex court’s remarks and allowed age relaxation for them.
However, the Supreme Court has now imposed an interim stay on that interpretation and issued notices to all parties involved. The matter is scheduled for further hearing in March, and all sides have been directed to submit affidavits before that.
It may be recalled that due to the 2016 scam, around 26,000 teachers and non-teaching staff lost their jobs last year. In the fresh recruitment process, tainted candidates will remain barred, while untainted candidates may still get a chance, subject to the final verdict.
