West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has received a contempt notice after publicly criticising the Supreme Court's recent verdict in the School Service Commission (SSC) recruitment scam case. The notice, dated April 10, 2025, was issued by advocate Siddharth Dutta on behalf of the NGO Aatmdeep. It comes in response to Banerjee’s comments made during a public address on April 8, where she questioned the top court’s authority and strongly opposed its decision.

On April 3, the Supreme Court upheld an earlier ruling by the Calcutta High Court that cancelled nearly 26,000 appointments deemed illegal in the state’s SSC recruitment process. The apex court also ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the recruitment irregularities, in a case widely referred to as the “SSC Job Scam.”

Statements Allegedly Undermining the Judiciary

The contempt notice accuses Banerjee of deliberately making statements that challenge the Supreme Court’s authority and question the legitimacy of its verdict. During her April 8 address, the Chief Minister stated, “Who has the right to take anyone’s job? No one… Our Plan A is ready, B is ready, C is ready, D is ready, and E is ready… You can put me in jail for saying this. But I don’t care.”

She further suggested that the ruling was part of a larger conspiracy aimed at undermining the education system in West Bengal. Banerjee also alleged that the decision unfairly portrayed qualified teachers as “thieves” and “ineligible,” adding fuel to the already heated political discourse surrounding the case.

Accusations of Encouraging Non-Compliance

The notice states that Banerjee’s comments represent a “wilful, designed and well-thought-out attack” on the authority of the judiciary. It claims that her remarks could influence the public against the Supreme Court’s verdict and promote non-compliance by the state government. The notice emphasises that such actions are in “clear contempt” of judicial authority and undermine the rule of law.

Legal Demands and Potential Consequences

The notice issued by Advocate Dutta demands several actions from the Chief Minister. It calls on her to ensure that state authorities fully comply with the Supreme Court’s April 3 judgment, cease making any public statements that suggest defiance, and issue an unconditional public apology to the court.

Should Banerjee fail to meet these demands, the notice warns that she could face legal action under Article 129 of the Constitution of India, which empowers the Supreme Court to punish for contempt, as well as provisions under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.

Broader Political and Legal Implications

This latest development adds a significant legal layer to the ongoing fallout from the SSC recruitment scam, which has already cast a shadow over the West Bengal government. With the Supreme Court’s ruling prompting strict action and widespread political reaction, Banerjee now faces mounting pressure not only from legal quarters but also from opposition leaders who have long accused her government of shielding corruption.

As legal proceedings unfold, the situation continues to attract national attention, reflecting the intense political and administrative consequences of the SSC scam and the broader debate over judicial accountability and political rhetoric in India.