The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the Centre and all state governments to cut ties with three experts who drafted a controversial NCERT textbook chapter. The move follows a row over "offending" content regarding corruption in the judiciary in the Class 8 Social Science book.

The apex court directed the Centre to constitute a committee of domain experts within a week for the purpose of finalising the curriculum of NCERT's legal studies of not only class 8 but higher classes also.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant was informed that the chapter was drafted by the textbook development team under the chairmanship of professor Michel Danino and consisting of members Suparna Diwakar and Alok Prasanna Kumar.

"At the outset, we have no reason to doubt that professor Michel Danion and his associates Suparna Diwakar and Alok Prasanna Kumar either do not have reasonable informed knowledge with respect to Indian judiciary and/or they deliberately and knowingly misrepresented the facts in order to project a negative image of Indian judiciary before the students of class 8...," the bench said.

The top court said it sees no reason as to why these persons be associated in any manner for the purpose of preparation of curriculum or for finalisation of textbooks for next generation of children.

It directed the Centre, state governments and Union Territories, universities, and public institutions receiving government funds to "disassociate three of them forthwith and not to assign any responsibility which incur fully or partially public funds".

It said this order, however, shall be subject to their approaching the top court for modification along with an explanation, if any, they wish to tender.

The bench, also comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, said it was "equally perturbed" with the stand taken by NCERT director in his affidavit that the chapter has been "duly rewritten".

"We direct that if at all chapter 4 of the subject textbook has been rewritten, the same shall not be published unless it is approved by a committee comprising domain experts," it said.

The bench said the Centre should also revisit the composition of National Syllabus and Teaching Learning Material Committee (NSTC), especially those with whom the offending chapter was digitally shared by members of textbook development team.

It noted that after it had passed the February 26 order in the matter, some elements in "so-called social media" had acted and reacted irresponsibly.

"We firmly believe in catching the bull by the horn. We accordingly direct the Government of India to identify such sites, the persons behind running those sites and furnish their full details to enable us to take suitable action," it said, adding that law must take its own course against "mischief mongers".

The bench directed the Centre to constitute a committee of domain experts which may preferably include one former senior judge, one eminent academician and one renowned practitioner in law.

It said it would be appreciated if the committee of domain experts also associates National Judicial Academy, Bhopal, for the purpose of finalising the NCERT's curriculum of legal studies.

The bench said it find it "slightly disappointing" that not a single eminent jurist was included if NCERT wished to teach the students about judiciary.

"We, however, leave it to the discretion of the competent authority for reconstitution of the NSTC," it said.

The bench made clear that its orders were not intended to prevent any healthy, objective and legitimate criticism of institutional functioning of judiciary.

It noted that professor Dinesh Prasad Saklani, Director of National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), has filed an affidavit tendering unconditional and unqualified apology on his behalf and on behalf of NCERT for inclusion of the chapter.

It noted that secretary of department of school education and literacy of the Ministry of Education has also filed an affidavit tendering unconditional and unqualified apology.

During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the Centre has already directed NCERT to review textbooks of all standards, not just class 8.

"Instead of giving it to the NCERT, we would have appreciated if the central government itself constitute some high-level committee," the CJI observed.

To this, Mehta said, "It shall be done. It would be neutral independent domain experts."

Referring to the affidavit filed by NCERT director, the bench said, "This affidavit is an eye opener that the curriculum is issued without getting it approved at any level."

"If this is the casual way of publishing the curriculum for the students in this country, Mr Solicitor General what do you expect us to do?" the CJI asked.

Mehta said this needed a "systemic change" which has already started.

When the bench said the three persons be forthwith disassociated, Mehta said, "We have already said on our own that we are disassociating them."

The bench observed the affidavit filed by NCERT director said that these individuals would not be associated with any activity of NCERT only.

"What if one of them is appointed as vice-chancellor tomorrow," the CJI said.

On February 26, the apex court imposed a "complete blanket ban" on any further publication, reprinting or digital dissemination of NCERT's class 8 social science book as it contains "offending" contents on corruption in the judiciary, saying they have fired a gunshot and the judiciary is "bleeding".