New Delhi, February 25: The Chief Justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud, raised concerns on Wednesday regarding a chapter on “Judicial Corruption” in the newly released Class 8 NCERT textbook. He emphasized that no one should be allowed to tarnish the reputation of the judiciary.
Prominent lawyers Kapil Sibal, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, and Mukul Rohatgi brought this matter to the Chief Justice’s attention. Sibal expressed disappointment that Class 8 students are being taught about “Judicial Corruption.”
Chief Justice Chandrachud acknowledged the ongoing discussions, stating he has received numerous calls and messages on this issue. Both the bar and the bench are troubled by it.
Expressing his discontent, the Chief Justice remarked, “As the head of this institution, I have always fulfilled my responsibilities. I will not permit anyone to defame the judiciary, regardless of their stature. The law will take its course, and I know how to address this. I am taking cognizance of the matter.”
He added, “This appears to be a deliberate move. I will not comment further. As Chief Justice, I am performing my duty.”
Justice Bagchi, another member of the bench, noted that the chapter contradicts the fundamental framework of the Constitution.
The controversial chapter is part of the newly released Class 8 Social Science textbook by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), which includes a section titled “The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society.” This section addresses various challenges facing the judiciary, including corruption at different levels, a shortage of judges, complex legal processes, and the burden of pending cases due to inadequate infrastructure.
In contrast, the previous edition primarily focused on the judiciary’s role, the concept of an independent judiciary, the structure of courts, and citizens’ access to them, without explicitly mentioning corruption. The inclusion of corruption in the new edition has drawn criticism.
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