Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on February 25 expressed strong displeasure over references to corruption in the judiciary in a newly introduced Class 8 Social Science textbook published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), remarking that no one would be permitted to “defame or denigrate” the institution. The development arose from a CJI Kant-led Bench after senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi raised concerns over the contents of the revised textbook.
Sibal submitted that members of the legal fraternity were deeply disturbed that schoolchildren were being taught about corruption in the judiciary, describing the inclusion as “entirely scandalous”. “We are deeply disturbed as members of this institution to find that children of Class 8 are being taught about corruption in the judiciary. We have a great stake in the institution. We have copies of the book,” the senior counsel told the top court.
In response, CJI Kant said he was already aware of the controversy and had received several communications from members of the judiciary expressing concern over the matter. “I can assure all of you that I am fully aware of it,” the CJI remarked, adding that several High Court judges were also “perturbed” by the contents of the book. When Sibal urged the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognisance, CJI Kant said that he had already initiated proceedings on the issue.
“Wait for a day. This is definitely concerning the entire institution. The Bar and the Bench are perturbed. Every stakeholder in the system is really disturbed. I am receiving a lot of calls and messages,” the CJI said.
