India, April 17 -- The Supreme Court on Thursday said that 'untainted' assistant teachers who lost their jobs after the top court's order can continue to teach. The court said the decision was made in the interest of the students.

The court also directed the West Bengal government to start a fresh recruitment drive by May 31 and complete the process by December 31.

"We are inclined to accept the prayer in the present application as it relates to the assistant teachers of Classes IX-X and Classes XI-XII, " a bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar said.

The order will apply only to assistant teachers, as the bench noted that in the Group C and D recruitments, large-scale bungling was found.

On April...