In a setback for para-teachers, the Jharkhand High Court on Friday ruled against granting relaxation in qualifying marks for the ongoing appointment process of 26,000 assistant teachers in the state.
The court has annulled the provision granting relaxation in qualifying marks to para teachers. The case was heard by a bench comprising High Court Chief Justice MS Ramachandra Rao and Justice Deepak Roshan.
The court issued this order while hearing a petition challenging the provision of 50% reservation for para teachers and relaxation in qualifying marks under the Assistant Teacher Appointment Rules.
On Wednesday, the court had reserved its decision after hearing arguments from all parties. The petition was filed by Krishna Kumar Halder, with advocates Shubham Kumar Mishra, Kumar Pawan, and Shivam Utkarsh Sahay representing him. Advocates Sanjoy Piparwal, Radha Krishna Gupta, and Pinky Sahu appeared for the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission, while advocate Rahul Sabu represented the state government.
This decision by the High Court has dealt a significant blow to para teachers participating in the assistant teacher appointment process.
Meanwhile, in other development the Ranchi CBI court has taken cognizance of the CBI’s chargesheet in the second JPSC (Jharkhand Public Service Commission) appointment scam.
In November last year, the CBI filed the chargesheet in the special court in Ranchi after nearly 12 years of investigation. Following this, the court ordered the issuance of summons to 72 accused individuals on Thursday. The chargesheet names 72 people, including the then JPSC Chairman, Dilip Prasad, as accused.
The charge sheet also includes the names of officers who have been promoted from DSP to SP. According to the CBI, the marks of 12 candidates were increased on the instructions of the then-JPSC member and coordinator. This was done by altering answer sheets—cutting and pasting portions—and inflating the marks obtained by certain candidates in interviews.