He is not the only one. Sixty-six people, all above the retirement age of 60, have received the job offer letter. And three on that list are not alive anymore.

After the controversy, the education board termed it a “faux pass” on its part and added that the appointment letters were sent to the 66 people acting on the order of the Calcutta High Court.

According to the education board, around four decades ago, in 1983, a group of 66 people had filed a case demanding teachers’ job. In December 2023, the Calcutta HC ordered their recruitment. “The faux pass happened because the list of 66 had names and addresses of the people, and not their age. Since the HC order said that they should be treated as teachers from 2014, we sent the appointment letters,” Hooghly district Primary Education Board chairperson Shilpa Nandi said.

Achintya Adak of Pandua, is 71, is hopeful of getting at least retirement benefits. “We filed a case in 1983. Then I was 31. Now, I am 71. What I will do getting this job now?” he asked.