The Supreme Court on Monday rejected petitions from 361 teachers and non-teaching staff seeking state-funded salaries in West Bengal madrasas under a grant-in-aid scheme. A Bench led by Justice Dipankar Datta ruled that none of the petitioners demonstrated sufficient merit in their cases.
Background of the West Bengal madrasa case
The petitions followed the declaration of the West Bengal Madrasa Service Commission Act, 2008, as unconstitutional, a ruling later upheld by the Calcutta High Court. Over 40 petitions were filed by staff appointed to various madrasas in the state.
Key legal questions raised
The court examined whether the madrasas in question were validly recognised and whether they were operated by legitimate managing committees. These issues formed the core of the legal challenge.
The decision leaves the petitioners without regularised appointments or state funding, as the Supreme Court found no grounds to overturn the lower court's findings.
