Chandigarh Teachers Win Justice After 10-Year Wait: Tribunal Orders Regularisation

In a major relief to 26 teachers in Chandigarh, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has struck down a 2017 order by the UT Administration that had indefinitely extended their probation period. The tribunal has now ordered the Administration to regularise their services and grant all pending benefits for the probation period that was wrongly extended.

The Background

These teachers were appointed in 2015 after clearing a written test for JBT (Junior Basic Training) and TGT (Trained Graduate Teacher) posts. Initially, they were placed on a two-year probation with fixed monthly pay without any additional benefits like annual increments.

However, their probation was extended indefinitely in 2017 due to suspicions that the exam papers might have been leaked. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was set up to investigate the matter. Although a chargesheet was filed, none of the 26 teachers were named or implicated.

Legal Action and Victory

The 26 affected teachers, represented by advocate Rohit Seth, challenged the Administration’s action in the Central Administrative Tribunal. They argued that keeping them in limbo for years without confirmation or benefits was unjust, especially since no evidence was ever found against them.

Agreeing with their argument, the Tribunal ruled in their favor and directed the Administration to:

• Regularise their employment

• Release all pending benefits related to the extended probation period

A Symbol of Hope and Persistence

This verdict not only restores the dignity and rights of the teachers but also stands as a powerful reminder that justice can prevail, even after a long struggle. These educators, who continued serving students amidst uncertainty, have now been vindicated.