Justice L. Narsimha Reddy of the A.P. High Court on Friday held Principal Secretary Education, Rajesh Tiwari, guilty of contempt of court. The quantum of punishment to be imposed on the IAS officer would be decided next week and he could plead on the issue.
The judge was dealing with a contempt case filed against Mr. Tiwari by Aided Sanskrit Schools Managements Association of AP and another petitioner.
The judge on December 4, 2012 had directed the School Education Department to take steps to fill half of the vacant posts of Sanskrit teachers in the aided institutions. With the authorities failing to implement the order, the petitioners moved the contempt petition.
Justice Reddy observed that there was negligence on the part of the authorities in protecting the educational institutions run with government aid. He lamented that the officers seemed to have a firm resolve to permit such institutions to die a natural death, even while thousands of crores of rupees were doled out for scholarships to the students studying professional courses in private and corporate institutions.
The court was told by the government that staff from other institutions was being posted. The delay in issuing notification was attributed to the need for sanction.
Justice Reddy did not appreciate such an explanation and wondered why there was need for fresh sanction against existing posts. The judge then proceeded to record the finding that contempt of court had been committed and adjourned the matter to hear the plea of the petitioner on the quantum of punishment.
