DELHI : The Supreme Court sharply responded to a reference to judicial corruption in a Class 8 NCERT book.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant termed the mention a calculated and deep-rooted attack. Moreover, he said the court would not permit anyone to defame judicial integrity. Additionally, he clarified that he took note of the matter on his own. He further revealed that many calls and messages reached him regarding the issue.
High Court judges also expressed concern through direct communication.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal raised the issue before the bench in the morning. He said senior members of the Bar felt deeply disturbed by the inclusion. Sibal stated that they strongly objected to judicial corruption appearing in school material.
Court Says Integrity Cannot Be Targeted
Responding immediately, the CJI said he already knew about the controversy. He asserted that he would not allow questioning of institutional credibility. Furthermore, he said action would follow regardless of how high the matter reached. He added that the court would block any attempt to attack the judicial system. He again described the reference as a calculated assault.
Senior Advocates Raise Concerns
Meanwhile, senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi also addressed the bench. He argued that the text appeared to single out one institution unfairly. He questioned why the book mentioned corruption only in the judiciary. He pointed out that no similar reference appeared for politicians or ministers.
He also included bureaucrats while highlighting this selectivity.
Singhvi stressed that corruption exists in other areas as well. Justice Joymalya Bagchi then responded during the exchange. He observed that constitutional integrity seemed missing in the book’s structure.
