Calcutta HC orders CBI probe into appointment of 350 SSC Group C staff

The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation to probe into the appointment of 350 Group C employees of School Service Commission (SSC).

Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay also ordered immediate suspension of salaries of these 350 staff. He also ordered the district school inspectors to return the salaries paid to these employees so far. The case will be heard again on March 15.

Some candidates had filed a petition alleging that those from the rank below them were recommended by the SSC for appointment to Group C posts in different schools.

However, the 350 Group C SSC employees can submit affidavits to the court stating from whom they received the recommendation letter, from whom they received the appointment letter and what is the total amount of salary they received from the date of appointment till date.

BJP leader Agnimitra Paul said, “This directive shows that there has been a huge fraud and that the post has been sold for money. It needs a CBI inquiry because the truth will not be revealed without an impartial investigation. Those who are guilty should be punished. Also, the eligible candidates are being deprived for unreasonable reasons.”

Earlier, the high court had asked the West Bengal government to immediately stop the salaries of 573 SSSC Group D staff after faulting their appointments and ordered a CBI probe.

However, the School Service Commission (SSC) later went to the division bench challenging the directive.

After the CBI inquiry order was rejected, the court formed a committee to investigate the matter.