The Supreme Court Thursday dismissed a petition seeking initiation of contempt of court proceedings against HRD minister, Mr Kapil Sibal, for criticising judicial functioning in 1995.
An apex court bench of Justices J.M. Panchal and A.K. Patnaik said Sibal's message in a souvenir had been quoted out of context.
The court said the message examines the evils prevailing in the judicial system. It noted that Sibal had also suggested corrective measures.
Pronouncing the order, Justice Panchal said: "Fair and constructive criticism (of judicial functioning) must be encouraged."