West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has come under legal scrutiny after a Delhi-based lawyer, Siddharth Dutt, issued a contempt notice against her on Thursday over her remarks concerning the Supreme Court’s recent verdict that nullified the 2016 School Service Commission (SSC) recruitment panel.
The verdict, which declared the panel illegal, has led to the cancellation of nearly 26,000 appointments in state-aided schools, sparking widespread political and public reaction.
In his legal notice, Dutt contended that the Supreme Court is the apex authority in India and that its rulings are binding on all, including state governments and public officials.
He alleged that the chief minister’s public statements suggested her unwillingness to implement the court’s decision. According to the notice, if Mamata Banerjee does not issue a formal apology for her remarks, contempt of court proceedings will be initiated against her.
The West Bengal government has responded by asserting that it has always respected the legal process and will continue to act within the framework of law. State chief secretary Manoj Pant reiterated the administration’s stance, clarifying that the government has never expressed an intention to defy the Supreme Court’s ruling, contrary to what the notice implies.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) spokesperson Kunal Ghosh defended the chief minister’s position in a post on social media platform X. He said Mamata Banerjee stands firmly with the job seekers who lost their positions due to the verdict and is committed to finding ways to restore their employment.
Dismissing the notice as a politically motivated ploy, Ghosh described it as an attempt to stall the government's efforts and create unnecessary legal complications. He further alleged that the opposition, having failed to gain traction among the public, was now resorting to legal tactics to disrupt the administration.
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Ghosh maintained that Mamata Banerjee respects the judiciary but reserves the right to voice dissent when a court’s decision causes large-scale hardship. He also questioned the impartiality of certain verdicts, hinting at instances where judges have moved into political roles after retirement, suggesting that such transitions can raise doubts about judicial neutrality.
The current row stems from remarks made by Mamata Banerjee during an interaction with affected job candidates at Netaji Indoor Stadium on April 7.
Addressing the gathering, she had said, “I cannot accept this verdict,” while simultaneously affirming her faith in the judiciary and respect for judges. The contempt notice cites several excerpts from her speech, including a pointed challenge to the court’s authority: “No one has the right to take away anyone’s job. Our plan A, B, C, D, and E are ready. Yes, I can be thrown in jail for saying this. But I don’t care. You do your work. Who is stopping you? The Supreme Court? Then remember, we will find an alternative.”
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Banerjee also suggested that a conspiracy was being orchestrated to destabilize the state’s education system. She strongly defended the affected candidates, claiming many were gold medalists and well-qualified.
“They are calling all of them thieves and incompetent. Who gave you the right to say this? I am directly challenging you,” she stated during her address.
Meanwhile, the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education has moved the Supreme Court with a plea seeking a status quo order regarding the current appointments in government-aided schools, indicating the state’s intent to explore legal avenues to protect the jobs of those affected by the SSC verdict.
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