The Supreme Court on Thursday (April 3) upheld the Calcutta High Court verdict invalidating the appointment of 25,753 teachers and other staff in West Bengal schools. The top court said the appointment in the state-run and aided schools is “vitiated and tainted”.

The apex court, however, said employees are not needed to return their salaries and other emoluments.

 A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar said the fresh selection process to be completed in West Bengal schools within three months. The process can also have relaxations for untainted candidates, it added.

The court made relaxation for the disabled employees on humanitarian grounds, saying they would remain in the job.

The plea challenging the Calcutta High Court order for a Central Bureau of Investigation probe in the recruitment row will be heard on April 4.

On February 10, the top court reserved its judgement on a batch of petitions in the matter.