SC stays Jharkhand HC decision on teacher appointments

The Supreme Court has stayed the Jharkhand High Court's decision repealing the Jharkhand government's planning policy and prohibiting the teacher reinstatement process. In September earlier this year, the Jharkhand HC had struck down the appointment of teachers, contending that 100% reservation is violative of fundamental rights.

New Delhi:The Supreme court has ordered that teachers appointed in scheduled districts of Jharkhand shall not be displaced and be allowed to continue working.

The bench comprising of Justice Ashok Bhushan, Justice R Subhash Reddy and Justice MR Shah was hearing pleas challenging the Jharkhand High Court order of September which had quashed the appointments of more than 8,000 teachers employed in government schools in 13 scheduled districts of the state.

The court observed that the matter needs to be considered early and fixed the date for hearing on November 4 granting interim relief to the teachers.

"Two weeks time is granted to file counter affidavit. Rejoinder affidavit, if any, be filed before the next date of hearing. In the meantime, those teachers, who are working in the scheduled districts shall continue to work and not be displaced in pursuance of the impugned judgement of the High Court. Interim relief till next date of hearing," ordered the court.

In September earlier this year, the Jharkhand HC had struck down the appointment of teachers, contending that 100% reservation is violative of fundamental rights.

It had pronounced its verdict on a batch of pleas filed by rejected candidates who challenged the 2016 notification of the state government providing job in scheduled districts' primary schools only to the residents. There was 100% reservation in government schools for locals which is against SC's judgement.

The HC order was challenged in the top court in which the court has provided interim relief.