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The Calcutta High Court has summoned ex-Chairman of School Service Commission (SSC) Mr. Soumitra Sarkar in a teacher recruitment scam. 

The bench of Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay also summoned Mr. Samarjit Acharya, Programme Officer and Mr. Shanti Prasad Sinha, Ex-Advisor of the SSC to appear before the court on the next date of hearing of the matter.

The Court was hearing a petition by one Md. Abdul Gani Ansari who had alleged that he was not called for counseling as a wait-listed candidate and was not issued any recommendation and appointment letters in the July 2018 teachers recruitment process, however, at least six candidates, who were below his rank in the said wait list, got opportunity to appear for counseling. 

He had also alleged that subsequently, all six other candidates received recommendation letters, appointment letters and they joined different schools where they are working as Assistant Teachers. 

Opposing Ansari's claims, the School Service Commission had submitted that the writ petitioner was not coming in the zone of consideration as he obtained lesser marks than the last candidate recommended by the Commission for the same category. However, Justice Gangopadhyay rejected such contention and cancelled the appointment of the said 6 teachers. 

The Deputy Director of School Education (Grand-in-Aid) in an affidavit has submitted that the then Deputy Director of School Education (Grand-in-Aid), West Bengal, forwarded those six vacancies to the School Service Commission. The Court noted that the recommendation letters were signed by the then Chairman of the Commission Mr. Soumitra Sarkar.

In view of the fact, the court has summoned the three officials. Matter will be next taken up on March 9, 2022, at 2 p.m.

Case Title: Md. Abdul Gani Ansari Vs. State of West Bengal & Ors