Shillong, Dec 3: HYC has taken up the cause of ‘tainted’ teachers in connection with the education scam after the High Court of Meghalaya acquitted former Education Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh & two education department officials.
HYC president Roy Kupar Synrem petitioned the Chief Minister Conrad Sangma ,seeking clarity.
Full text of the letter to the CM below
To
1. The Hon’ble Chief Minister
Government of Meghalaya,
Secretariat, Shillong, Meghalaya.
Via Email: conradsangma@gmail.com
2. The Minister, I/c Education Department,
Government of Meghalaya, Shillong, Meghalaya.
Via Email: dertmegh@gmail.com
3. The Chief Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya,
Secretariat, Shillong, Meghalaya.
Via Email: cso-meg@nic.in
Subject: Demand for Clarification and Re-examination of Status of Teachers
Declared “Tainted” in 2008–09 Recruitment (White Ink Scam)
Respected Sir,
The undersigned, on behalf of HYC-CEC, would like to draw your kind attention to a matter of urgent public importance: the continuing uncertainty surrounding the status of those teachers declared “tainted” after the 2008–09 Lower-Primary teacher recruitment irregularities (the so-called “White Ink Scam”), despite the recent decision of the Meghalaya High Court in September 2025 which quashed criminal proceedings and discharged the principal accused persons.
In 2008–09, recruitment of assistant teachers for Lower Primary (LP) schools in Meghalaya was challenged due to alleged manipulation of scoresheets using “white ink” and favouritism. Investigations ensued, and many selected candidates (or aspirants) were declared “tainted”. As a result, their appointment was cancelled or they were removed/terminated. Over the years, a segment of those initially declared “untainted” were reinstated. For instance, in 2021, about 187 teacher-candidates got reinstated after review.
On September 4, 2025, the Hon’ble Meghalaya High Court quashed criminal proceedings against the former Education Minister and senior officials of the Education Department, holding that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case as there was no reliable evidence of manipulation, no record of actual “white ink” usage and the tabulation-sheet versions showed consistent signatures, raising doubts about alleged tampering.
However, despite this complete judicial discharge of the prime accused persons in the case, no relief is granted to the ‘tainted’ candidates who were deprived of jobs following the education scam. Many of them remain unemployed, having lost their rightful opportunity to serve as teachers. Their “tainted” designation continues to carry social stigma, depriving them of dignity, livelihood, and professional growth. Till date, there is no transparent communication or official statement from the Government clarifying whether the High Court’s judgment automatically nullifies the “tainted” classification and entitles the discharged individuals or other affected candidates to reinstatement, compensation, or fresh recruitment. This legal limbo undermines trust in the system and leaves many deserving individuals in despair — raising questions about equity, fairness, and Rule-of-Law.
In view of the above facts and circumstances, we demand the Government of Meghalaya to:
1. Take cognizance of the Meghalaya High Court’s judgment of September, 2025.
2. Issue an official statement clarifying whether the “tainted” tag — imposed on certain teachers/candidates in connection with the 2008–09 recruitment — will now be reviewed or removed in the wake of the High Court’s Judgment discharging the accused persons.
3. Direct the Education Department to review all “tainted” cases arising from 2008–09 recruitment.
4. Institutionalize a fair redress mechanism — perhaps through a special “Review & Re-instatement Committee” under the Directorate of School Education & Literacy, to handle all cases in a time-bound manner. 5. Restore dignity, livelihood, and hope for deserving individuals wrongly punished.
We believe that the Court’s judgment merits a full re-assessment of the earlier “tainted” classification, and we request that the Government provide clarity on this issue — for the sake of justice, fairness, transparency, and the welfare of many deserving individuals who continue to suffer.
Trusting in your sincere concern for justice, equity, and the welfare of
the affected teachers, we are hopeful that immediate remedial steps will be taken.
Thanking you in anticipation,
Yours faithfully
(Mr. Roy Kupar Synrem)
President
HYC– CEC, Shillong
