Shillong: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) has demanded a full review of the “tainted” list of lower primary teachers linked to the 2008–09 recruitment controversy, following the Meghalaya High Court’s recent decision to quash all criminal proceedings in the so-called “white ink scam”.
The court, in its September 4 order, ruled that the prosecution had failed to produce credible evidence of mark tampering, white-ink usage or manipulation in the score sheets—findings that effectively dismantled the core allegation behind the decade-long case.
It also noted that signatures and tabulation records remained consistent, contradicting charges of alteration.
The recruitment exercise, which sparked statewide uproar at the time, had led to CBI and state-level probes, mass disqualifications, cancelled appointments and stalled careers for many candidates.
While some teachers classified as “untainted” were reinstated over the years—most notably the 187 reinstatements in 2021—those labelled “tainted” have continued to face unemployment, stigma and legal uncertainty.
In a memorandum to the state government, HYC president Roy Kupar Synrem said the High Court’s findings should compel an immediate policy response.
“If the foundation of the allegations has collapsed, why must the affected teachers continue to suffer?” he asked, adding that the government’s silence on the status of the “tainted” list had prolonged distress for hundreds of families.
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Synrem said the prolonged lack of clarity had pushed many deserving candidates into “legal and administrative limbo”, even as the state has made no announcement on whether their cases would now be reconsidered.
The HYC has urged the government to initiate a comprehensive, time-bound re-examination of all cases arising from the 2008–09 recruitment and to set up a transparent “review and reinstatement committee” under the Directorate of School Education and Literacy.
According to the group, a full reassessment is essential to restore dignity, employment and closure to those who were wrongfully penalised despite the High Court finding no evidence of wrongdoing.
