SC permits CBI to investigate West Bengal job scam

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has allowed the CBI to investigate the alleged irregularities in the West Bengal job scam in which the appointment of primary teachers was influenced.

The bench agreed with the submission of Additional Solicitor General S V Raju who argued that the CBI is in the process of uncovering a recruitment scam of extraordinary dimension. Appearing for the central agency, he said the probe at this stage prima facie reveals the exchange of monetary considerations for giving appointments.

Justices Aniruddha Bose and Vikram Nath noted it will not be appropriate to straightaway direct a CBI investigation in a recruitment-related controversy under normal circumstances. But they observed that the allegations, in this case, are so outrageous. "The perpetrators of the alleged offences are so powerful that investigation by the state police would be ineffectual," said the top court.

"Considering the submission of counsel for the CBI and the fact that investigation by the said agency has substantially progressed, we do not want to stall such investigation at this stage and wait to see if the state police can carry on the same investigation impartially," added the bench.

The CBI is directed to file a comprehensive report within four weeks.

The Supreme Court also stayed the Calcutta HC order directing the annulment of the appointment of 269 candidates as teachers. Each of these teachers was asked to file affidavits to defend their appointment. Authorities have been charged with examining the legality of the appointments. The top court also stayed the high court order regarding the removal of Dr Manik Bhattacharya from his official position as the West Bengal Board of Primary Education president.