Provide copy of appeal to 42 respondents: HC

LUCKNOW: The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court on Tuesday directed the state government to serve the copies of its appeal, challenging the November 1 court order directing the CBI to probe anomalies in recruitment of 68,500 assistant teachers in primary schools, to 42 respondents.

The order was passed by the division bench of justice Vikram Nath and justice Manish Mathur on a special appeal seeking quashing of the single judge order directing the CBI to probe the case. Amit Singh Bhadauriya, the counsel fora respondent, said the state had made a single respondent in its special appeal and added that 42 respondents should be provided a copy of the appeal.

The recruitment exam was conducted on May 27, 2018 at 248 centres spread across 18 divisions of the state. The result was declared on August 13. On November 1, the court had directed the CBI director to complete the probe within 6 months and submit the progress report on November 26.

The CBI, however, could not file progress report in the case.

At the hearing, the CBI counsel informed the single judge bench that the CBI director was not able to decide as to which branch of the central investigating agency would investigate the case.The court said the director held a very responsible post and should understand the seriousness of the court order.

The single judge bench directed that the case be listed on December 10 along with record of the connected writ petitions.

While pronouncing the order on a bunch of writ petitions filed by Sonika Devi, an SC candidate, and others, Justice Irshad Ali had on November 1 said: “Necessary action... be taken by the competent authority against officers who are found involved in corrupt practices.”