KOLKATA: Calcutta high court Wednesday decided against scrapping the recruitment of 32,000 teachers for state-run primary schools, setting aside the order of Justice Abhijit Ganguly, who has since become a BJP MP, report Subrata Chattoraj & Poulami Roy.In 2023, Justice Ganguly, while cancelling the appointments based on 2014 Teacher Eligibility Test, said the jobs were “actually sold”. A larger bench had stayed the order.HC said it was setting aside the order because the “conclusion by the investigating authority (CBI) would not reveal that the appointed candidates were involved in any corrupt practices”.Allegation of fraud in entire selection process not sustainable: HCThe allegation of fraud and corruption pertaining to the entire recruitment process is not sustainable and the appointment of the 32,000 teachers cannot be interfered with,” a bench of Justices Tapabrata Chakraborty and Reetobroto Mitra, hearing an appeal by the state govt against Justice Ganguly’s order, ruled.Cautioning courts against “innovating at pleasure”, the bench said, “There must have been a possibility of systemic malice, assessment of data doesn’t point to the same.”The division bench noted that CBI only found irregularities in the recruitment of 360 candidates. Of them, 264 candidates were given grace marks and identified. Additionally, 96 candidates did not secure qualifying marks but were still appointed. Their services were terminated but they are still teaching following a Supreme Court order.After the verdict, Ganguly said, “They (the HC bench) did what they thought was right. What can I say? Unless I read the judgment and its reasoning, I cannot speak.”CM Mamata Banerjee gave a cautious response. “We respect the judicial process. I’m happy our brothers and sisters have got their jobs back,” she said. Her education minister Bratya Basu showed less restraint. “They (teachers) thought him to be their God, but he turned out to be Satan,” he said.BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari defended Ganguly. “I can’t comment on the judiciary’s order but apparently, there were irregularities in the recruitment process in both TET & SLST. It is also true that thousands of deserving candidates suffered in both cases due to the presence of tainted candidates in the panel. TMC is responsible for pushing them to such a situation.”

Prasidh Krishna on the left with Virat Kohli on the right (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: India pacer Prasidh Krishna faced heavy backlash on social media after India slipped to a four-wicket loss against South Africa in the second ODI in Raipur on Wednesday. The pacer endured a forgettable evening, returning figures of 8.2-0-85-2, finishing with an economy rate of more than 10 runs an over. His struggles with line and length during crucial phases of the chase opened the floodgates for South Africa, who hunted down a stiff target of 359 with surprising comfort.Fans online did not hold back, with many mocking the right-arm quick for his expensive outing. One user wrote, “If Pakistan has Haris Rauf, then India has Prasidh Krishna, both are Run-machines.” Another demanded a change in India’s pace attack, saying, “It’s high time the Indian team should drop Prasidh Krishna and bring back Siraj.” A third fan went even further, claiming, “I will choose 50 year old Mohammed Shami over any version of Prasidh Krishna in any formats.” Another quipped, “Prasidh krishna is man of the match. He said under temba i performed my career best performance.”India had earlier posted a commanding 358/5, courtesy of superb centuries from Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad. But despite the imposing total, Aiden Markram’s outstanding 110 off 98, supported by Matthew Breetzke’s fluent 68 and Dewald Brevis’ brisk 54, powered South Africa to one of their finest ODI chases.Markram controlled the innings beautifully, capitalising on a dropped chance on 53, while partnerships of 101 and 92 kept South Africa ahead throughout. The dew only worsened India’s troubles, with both seamers and spinners failing to grip or contain the ball effectively.Corbin Bosch’s calm, unbeaten 29 ensured South Africa crossed the line with four balls to spare.With the series now locked at 1-1, India head into the Visakhapatnam decider needing sharper execution with the ball. For Prasidh Krishna, the spotlight only grows brighter as calls for changes in the bowling attack continue to rise.