New Delhi, 25 February (H.S.): The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday took suo motu cognisance of a controversial section in the NCERT Class 8 Social Science textbook that references corruption in the judiciary, labelling it a matter of grave concern and vowing to protect institutional integrity.

A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, alongside Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, was alerted by senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who highlighted that eighth graders are now being taught about judicial corruption.

CJI Kant responded decisively: I will not allow anybody to defame the institution. Law will take its course. He described the inclusion as a calculated move, noting widespread perturbation among the Bar, Bench, and High Court judges.

The chapter, The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society, lists corruption at various judicial levels, massive case backlogs due to judge shortages and procedural delays, and poor infrastructure as key challenges. It outlines judges' code of conduct—covering courtroom and personal behaviour—and accountability via parliamentary impeachment for grave misconduct.

Justice Bagchi remarked that the content assaults the Constitution's basic structure.

CJI Kant affirmed administrative action already initiated, assuring, As head of the institution, I have done my duty. Senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi noted the selective focus on judiciary over bureaucracy or politics.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar