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Supreme Court Seeks Bengal Response on OBC Reclassification Challenge
The Supreme Court is examining a dispute over how some groups were classified as Other Backward Classes in West Bengal.
The dispute concerns 114 classes.
A Calcutta High Court ruling said the reclassification was illegal from the beginning.
The reclassification had been made in May and June 2025 by the former Mamata Banerjee-led government.
Some petitions have asked the Supreme Court to review that ruling.
The Supreme Court has asked the West Bengal government to respond within four weeks.
It also said that related appointments can go ahead only subject to the final decision.
This means those appointments could be affected by the Supreme Court’s eventual ruling.
The Supreme Court sought the West Bengal government’s response to petitions challenging a Calcutta High Court ruling on OBC reclassification.
The High Court had declared the reclassification of 114 classes void ab initio and invalid.
The reclassification was carried out in May and June 2025 by the former Mamata Banerjee-led government.
The Supreme Court said appointments made under the reclassification would depend on the final outcome of the appeals.
The court directed that appointment letters include a condition stating that appointments would abide by the Special Leave Petitions’ result.
- Who
- The Supreme Court, the West Bengal government, the petitioners, and the Calcutta High Court are involved.
- What
- The Supreme Court sought the state’s response to challenges against a ruling invalidating the reclassification of 114 OBC groups.
- Where
- West Bengal, with the matter before the Supreme Court of India.
- When
- The reclassification occurred in May and June 2025; the Calcutta High Court order was dated August 12, and the Supreme Court issued notices on Thursday.
- Why
- The petitions challenge the Calcutta High Court’s declaration that the OBC reclassification was void ab initio and invalid.
Key facts
- Reclassification
- 114 classes were reclassified as OBC groups.
- Timing
- The reclassification occurred in May and June 2025.
- High Court ruling
- The Calcutta High Court declared the reclassification void ab initio and invalid.
- Supreme Court action
- The court issued notices and sought the West Bengal government’s response.
- Response deadline
- The state was given four weeks to file a counter-affidavit, if any.
- Appointments
- Appointments made under the reclassification are subject to the final outcome of the appeals.
- Required clarification
- Appointment letters must state that appointments will abide by the result of the Special Leave Petitions.
Quotes
Supreme Court bench
A bench comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana
“The appointments made shall abide by the result of the Special Leave Petition(s). The State shall incorporate such conditions in the letters of appointment, if any, issued to successful candidates. Counter affidavit, if any, be filed within four weeks”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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