‘Scandalises judiciary’: School teacher faces contempt action for calling judge corrupt

A Himachal Pradesh High Court order has paved the way for contempt proceedings against a teacher who accused a judge of corruption, alleging that the teacher's claims were reckless and scandalous. The teacher, a former computer instructor at a Shimla school, sought an experience certificate from the institution, contending that it falsely identified him as a Primary Teacher (PRT) instead of a Teacher Grade II (TGT) and failed to mention the classes he was teaching.

The teacher alleged that the erroneous certificate was a deliberate attempt to tarnish his reputation, leading to a criminal complaint for forgery. However, the magistrate dismissed the complaint, stating that an error in the certificate could be rectified by contacting the school authorities. The teacher then approached the court, accusing the school of falsifying the experience certificate and calling it a deliberate act of corruption against a judicial officer.

Justice Rakesh Kainthla observed that making reckless allegations against a judicial officer regarding corruption without any foundation amounts to an attempt to scandalize the judiciary, which is considered Criminal Contempt of Court.