Don’t let down the judiciary by filing such cases: Supreme Court on plea challenging its decision on RTE Act

Expressing strong displeasure over a plea challenging its earlier decision to exempt minority schools from the provisions of the Right to Education Act, the Supreme Court on Friday (December 12) said the judiciary should not be let down by filing such cases.

to cost Imposing a fine of Rs 1 lakh on the petitioner, a bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and R Mahadevan said let this be a message to others.

The court said, “You cannot do this to the Supreme Court. We are angry. If you start filing such cases then it is against the entire system of judiciary in this country. You do not know the seriousness of your case. We are limiting ourselves to the costs of Rs 1 lakh.”

Slamming the lawyer who filed the petition, the court said, “Don’t bring down the judiciary in this country by filing such cases. What is happening here? Lawyers are giving such advice? We have to punish the lawyers.”

The bench remarked, “You are a law-knowing citizen, professional and you file a writ petition challenging the judgment of this Court under Article 32? Gross misuse! We are restraining ourselves. We are not issuing contempt. You want to demolish the judiciary of this country.”

The top court was hearing a petition filed by NGO United Voice for Education Forum, seeking a direction that the exemption given to minority educational institutions is unconstitutional as it provides them with complete exemption from RTE obligations.

The 2014 judgment declared that the RTE Act is not applicable to minority schools under Article 30(1), which protects the rights of religious and linguistic minorities to establish and administer educational institutions.