Court stay on La Martiniere teacher’s suspension

Kolkata: A city court on Monday issued an interim injuction till Dec 19 on the suspension of Susmita Chakraborty, an assistant teacher of La Martiniere for Boys. The court restrained the school from preventing her "from performing her duties in the school by way of teaching classes, co-curricular activities and other duties" she was performing in the regular course of her employment prior to the suspension notice.A disciplinary enquiry against her was started for allegedly posting an emoji on social media that was considered "anti-management" by the school.She had been suspended by a notice dated Nov 8. A renovation work to replace old steps with marble had prompted many former students to react against the move as they have emotional attachment to the historic "south side steps" of the old La Martiniere school building. Her emoji was a reaction to an alumni post on the demolition of 175-year-old heritage steps.Her counsel Rachit Lakhmani, who used to be her student, said Chakraborty will be retiring next year. "Association of La Martiniere Alumni (ALMA) made an attempt to speak with the school over this. But when no solution was drawn, the teacher moved the court on Monday morning," Lakhmani said.La Martiniere secretary Supriyo Dhar said, "I can only react once I receive the order copy." ALMA president Vishal Jhajharia said, "After so many years of service and influencing so many students' lives, she doesn't deserve this."