THE CONTEMPT OF COURTS ACT, 1971

An Act to define and limit the powers of certain courts in punishing contempts of courts and to
regulate their procedure in relation thereto.
Be it enacted by Parliament in the Twenty-second Year of the Republic of India as follows :
1. Short title and extent. ? (1) This ct may be called the !ontempt of !ourts ct" 1#$1%
(&) It e'tends to the whole of India:
Pro(ided that it shall not apply to the )tate of *ammu and +ashmir e'cept to the e'tent to which
the pro(isions of this ct relate to contempt of the )upreme !ourt%
. !e"inition#. ? In this ct" unless the conte't otherwise re,uires" -
-(a)- -contempt of court- means ci(il contempt or criminal contempt.
-(b)- -ci(il contempt- means wilful disobedience to any /ud0ment" decree" direction" order"
writ or other process of a court or wilful breach of an underta1in0 0i(en to a court.
(c)- -criminal contempt- means the publication (whether by words" spo1en or written" or by
si0ns" or by (isible representation" or otherwise) of any matter or the doin0 of any other act
whatsoe(er which -
(i) scandalises or tends to scandalise" or lowers or tends to lower the authority of" any court.
or
(ii) pre/udices" or interferes or tends to interfere with" the due course of any /udicial
proceedin0. or
(iii) interferes or tends to interfere with" or obstructs or tends to obstruct" the administration
of /ustice in any other manner.
(d) -2i0h !ourt- means the 2i0h !ourt for a )tate or a 3nion territory" and includes the court
of the *udicial !ommissioner in any 3nion territory%
!omments
- Breach of an underta1in0 0i(en to a !ourt by a person in ci(il proceedin0s" on the faith of which
the !ourt sanctions a course of action is misconduct amountin0 to contempt of court% Noorali
Babul Thanewala v. K.M.M. Shetty, IR 1##4 )%!% 565%
- The power to penalise an officer of the !ourt should be e'ercised in those cases where the
order is deliberately not obeyed or compliance is not made% .!. Singh v. State of "a#asthan,
1##7 !r%8%*% 1&9%
- d(ocate ma1in0 libellous alle0ations a0ainst sittin0 *ud0es of 2i0h !ourt amounts to
interference with administration of /ustice% !ritam $al v. %igh ourt of M.!. 1##& !r%8%*% 1&6#:
IR 1##& )! #45
- ;hat it constitutes - )candalisin0 !ourt or *ud0e" underminin0 people<s confidence in
administration of /ustice and brin0in0 or tendin0 to brin0 the !ourt into disrepute or disrespect
tantamount to criminal contempt - )currilous attac1 on a *ud0e ,uestionin0 his authority would
amount to contempt% &r. &%!% )a'ena (% 2on<ble The !%*%I%" *%T% 1##6(6) )%!% 9&# : 1##6(9) )!!
&16%
- !i(il contempt - ;here action of contemner is wilful" deliberate and in clear disre0ard of
!ourt<s- order" it amounts to ci(il contempt% Amar Bahadurising v. !.&% ;asni1 and others% 1##5
!ri%8%* 179# :1##5(&) Bom !R 565 (Bom)
- !ontempt proceedin0s - Initiated on basis of the report of an official - Principles of natural
/ustice re,uire that the copy of the report should be furnished to contemner and opportunity be
afforded to put forth his- say a0ainst the report% A. &harmara#an v. ollector of Kamara#ar &istt.
'irduhunagar &istt. and others. 1##5 !ri%8%* 79=9 (>adras)
- !ontempt - !onse,uential directions - !an be issued for enforcin0 order% &r. Subhash
handra !ratihar v. Mr. $eena ha(raborty and others. 1##9 !ri%8%*% $4$ (!al%)
- !ontempt - )entence - The fact that the petitioner is an I%%)- officer is of no conse,uence so
far as the sentence is concerned% ). 'asudevan v. T.". &hanan#aya. 1##9 !ri%8%*% 51#& ()%!)
- !riminal- contempt - Ille0al minin0 - Petitioner en(ironmental acti(ists - ?isitin0 area of
inspection alon0 with !ommittee constituted by )upreme- !ourt -- Petitioner manhandled by
mine owner - >ine owner 0uilty of criminal- contempt% Tarun Bharat Sangh Alwar v. *nion of
+ndia, and others. 1##7 !ri%8%*% 94 : IR 1##7 )! &#7 : 1##& )upp(&) )!! $94 ()!)
- Breach- of underta1in0 - Inability to (acate house as his son had become ma/or - )tand ta1en
found to be- dishonest - !on(iction ordered% 'enubai Saveleram Songaon(ar v. -a#anan
Savleram alias Sawalaram Songaon(ar and other. 1##& !ri%8%*%- 1164 (Bom)
- !riminal contempt - d(ocates stormin0 (arious court rooms - Indi(idually and collecti(ely
stood- on chairs" table and dias of !ourt - Pre(ented (arious lawyers from dischar0in0 their
/udicial functions - re 0uilty of contempt of court% ourt, of its own motion v. B.&% +aushi1 and
others% 1##7 !ri%8%*% 776 (@elhi)
- !ontempt proceedin0s - re not criminal proceedin0s - re proceedin0s of summary nature%
'idya haran Shu(la v. Tamil Nadu .lympic Association. -1##1 !ri%8%*% &$&& : IR 1##1 >ad
7&7 (>ad)
- !i(il contempt - Interim order passed by )upreme !ourt - subse,uent action in filin0 ci(il suit
see1in0 in/unction - mounts to contempt% &elhi &evelopment Authority v. S(ipper onstruction
and another 1##9 !ri%8%*% &14$ ()!)
- Re(iew - Arder holdin0 person 0uilty of contempt cannot be re(iewed" )enior )ub-*ud0e%
&haramsala v. ".A. Kansal. 1##1 !ri%8%* &57& : 1##1(&) Rec !ri%R% 6$$ (2%P)
- !riminal !ontempt - Botice- containin0 alle0ations and- scandalour remar1s - d(ocate who
drafted notice cannot escape liability% Shamsher Singh Bedi v. %igh ourt of, ! / %. 1##9
!ri%8%*% 76&$ ()!)
$. %nno&ent '()li&ation and di#tri)(tion o" *atter not &onte*'t. ? (1) person shall not be
0uilty of contempt of court on the 0round that he has published (whether by words" spo1en or
written" or by si0ns" or by (isible representations" or otherwise) any matter which interferes or
tends to interfere with" or obstructs or tends to obstruct" the course of /ustice in connection with
any ci(il or criminal proceedin0 pendin0 at that time of publication" if at that time he had no
reasonable 0rounds for belie(in0 that the proceedin0 was pendin0%
(&) Botwithstandin0 anythin0 to the contrary contained in this ct or any other law for the time
bein0 in force" the publication of any such matter as is mentioned in sub-section (1) in connection
with any ci(il or criminal proceedin0 which is not pendin0 at the time of publication shall not be
deemed to constitute contempt of court%
(7) person shall not be 0uilty of contempt of court on the 0round that he has distributed a
publication containin0 any such matter as is mentioned in sub-section (1)" if at the time of
distribution he had no reasonable 0rounds for belie(in0 that it contained or was li1ely to contain
any such matter as aforesaid:
Pro(ided that this sub-section shall not apply in respect of the distribution of -
-(i)- any publication which is a boo1 or paper printed or published otherwise than in
conformity with the rules contained in section 7 of the Press and Re0istration of Boo1s ct"
1=6$ (&9 of 1=6$).
-(ii)- any publication which is a newspaper published otherwise than in conformity with the
rules contained in )ection 9 of the said ct%
Explanation. - Cor the purpose of this section" a /udicial proceedin0 -
-(a)- is said to be pendin0 -
() in the case of a ci(il proceedin0" when it is instituted by the filin0 of a plaint or otherwise"
(B) in the case of a criminal proceedin0 under the
i
+1, D!ode of !riminal Procedure" 1=#9 (9
of 1=#=E" or any other law -
-(i)where it relates to the commission of an offence" when the char0e sheet or challan is
filed" or when the court issues summons or warrant" as the case may be" a0ainst the
accused" and
-(ii)in any other case" when the court ta1es co0niFance of the matter to which the
proceedin0 relates" and in the case of a ci(il or criminal proceedin0" shall be deemed to
continue to be pendin0 until it is heard and finally decided" that is to say" in a case where an
appeal or re(ision is competent" until the appeal or re(ision is heard and finally decided or"
where no appeal or re(ision is preferred" until the period of limitation prescribed for such
appeal or re(ision has e'pired.
-(b)- which has been heard and finally decided shall not be deemed to be pendin0 merely by
reason of the fact that proceedin0s for the e'ecution of the decree" order or sentence passed
therein are pendin0%
-. Fair and a&&(rate re'ort o" .(di&ial 'ro&eedin/ not &onte*'t. ? )ub/ect to the pro(isions
contained in )ection $" a person shall not be 0uilty of contempt of court for publishin0 a fair and
accurate report of a /udicial proceedin0 or any sta0e thereof%
0. Fair &riti&i#* o" .(di&ial a&t no &onte*'t. ? person shall not be 0uilty of contempt of court
for publishin0 any fair comment on the merits of any case which has been heard and finally
decided%
!omments
!riticism of !ourt- when trans0resses the limits of fair and bona fide criticism amounts to
contempt of court% (Aswini Kumar -hose v. Arbinda Bose, IR 1#97 )% !% $9)%
1. Co*'laint a/ai n#t 're#idin/ o""i&er# o" #()ordinate &o(rt# 2hen not &onte*'t.? ?-
person shall not be 0uilty of contempt of court in respect of any statement made by him in 0ood
faith concernin0 the presidin0 officer of any subordinate court to -
-(a)- any other subordinate court" or
-(b)- the 2i0h !ourt"
to which it is subordinate%
01planation. - In this section -subordinate court- means any court subordinate to a 2i0h !ourt%
7. P()li&ation o" in"or*ation relatin/ to 'ro&eedin/ in &ha*)er# or in &a*era not
&onte*'t ex&e't in &ertain &a#e#. ? (1) Botwithstandin0 anythin0 contained in this ct" a
person shall not be 0uilty of contempt of court for publishin0 a fair and accurate report of a /udicial
proceedin0 before any court sittin0 in chambers or in camera e'cept in the followin0 cases" that is
to say" -
-(a)- where the publication is contrary to the pro(isions of any enactment for the time bein0 in
force.
-(b)- where the court" on 0rounds of public policy or in e'ercise of any power (ested in it"
e'pressly prohibits the publication of all information relatin0 to the proceedin0 or of information
of the description which is published.
-(c)- where the court sits in chambers or in camera for reason connected with public order or
the security of the )tate" the publication of information relatin0 to those proceedin0s.
-(d)- where the information relates to a secret process" disco(ery or in(ention which is an
issue in the proceedin0s%
(&) ;ithout pre/udice to the pro(isions contained in sub-section (1)" a person shall not be 0uilty of
contempt of court for publishin0 the te't or a fair and accurate summary of the whole" or any part"
of an order made by a court sittin0 in chambers or in camera" unless the court has e'pressly
prohibited the publication thereof 0rounds of public policy" or for reasons connected with public
order or the security of the )tate" or on the 0round that it contains information relatin0 to a secret
process" disco(ery or in(ention" or in e'ercise of any power (ested in it%
3. Other de"en&e# not a""e&ted. ? Bothin0 contained in this ct shall be construed as implyin0
that any other defence which would ha(e been a (alid defence in any proceedin0s for contempt
of court has ceased to be a(ailable merely by reason of the pro(isions of this ct%
9. A&t not to i*'l4 enlar/e*ent o" #&o'e o" &onte*'t. ? Bothin0 contained in this ct shall be
construed as implyin0 that any disobedience" breach" publication or other act is punishable as
contempt of court which would not be so punishable apart from this ct%
15. Po2er o" Hi/h Co(rt to '(ni#h &onte*'t# o" #()ordinate &o(rt#.? ? G(ery 2i0h !ourt
shall ha(e and e'ercise the same /urisdiction" powers and authority" in accordance with the same
procedure and practice" in respect of contempt of courts subordinate to it as it has and e'ercises
in respect of contempts of itself:
Pro(ided that no 2i0h !ourt shall ta1e co0niFance of a contempt alle0ed to ha(e been committed
in respect of a court subordinate to it where such contempt is an offence punishable under the
Indian Penal !ode (59 of 1=64)%
!omments
2i0h !ourt can ta1e action for contempt of subordinate court under )ection & of- 1#&6 cts for
defamation of the *ud0e thou0h the a00rie(ed officer may ha(e remedies such as )ec% 5##
I%P%!%- (Bathina "ama(rishna "eddy v. State of Madras, IR 1#9& )%!% 15#)
2i0h !ourt in e'ercise of its powers under )ection 14 cannot interfere with the complaints filed for
disobedience of breach of in/unction order temporarily issued durin0 the pendency of a suit%-
Shai( Mohiddin v. Section .fficer, Karnata(a 0lectricity Board, Kaiwara.1##5 !ri%8%*%76=# : I8R
(+ar) 1##5 &917 (1ant)
11. Po2er o" Hi/h Co(rt to tr4 o""en&e# &o**itted or o""ender# "o(nd o(t#ide
.(ri#di&tion. ? 2i0h !ourt shall ha(e /urisdiction to in,uire into or try a contempt of itself or of
any court subordinate to it" whether the contempt is alle0ed to ha(e been committed within or
outside the local limits the local limits of its /urisdiction" and whether the person alle0ed to be
0uilty of contempt is within or outside such limits%
1. P(ni#h*ent "or &onte*'t o" &o(rt. ? (1) )a(e as otherwise e'pressly pro(ided in this ct
or in any other law" a contempt of court may be punished with simple imprisonment for a term
which may e'tend to si' months" or with fine which may e'tend to two thousand rupees" or with
both:
Pro(ided that the accused may be dischar0ed or the punishment awarded may be remitted on
apolo0y bein0 made to the satisfaction of the court%
01planation. - n apolo0y shall not be re/ected merely on the 0round that it is ,ualified or
conditional if the accused ma1es it bona fide%
(&) Botwithstandin0 anythin0 contained in any law for the time bein0 in force" no court shall
impose a sentence in e'cess of that specified in sub-section (1) for any contempt either in respect
of itself or of a court subordinate to it%
(7) Botwithstandin0 anythin0 contained in this section" where a person is found 0uilty of a ci(il
contempt" the court" if it considers that a fine will not meet the ends of /ustice and that a sentence
of imprisonment is necessary shall" instead of sentencin0 him to simple imprisonment" direct that
he be detained in a ci(il prison for such period not e'ceedin0 si' months as it may thin1 fit%
(5) ;here the person found 0uilty of contempt of court in respect of any underta1in0 0i(en to a
court is a company" e(ery person who" at the time the contempt was committed" was in char0e of"
and was responsible to" the company for the conduct of business of the company" as well as the
company" shall be deemed to be 0uilty of the contempt and the punishment may be enforced"
with the lea(e of the court" by the detention in ci(il prison of each such person:
Pro(ided that nothin0 contained in this sub-section shall render any such person liable to such
punishment if he pro(es that the contempt was committed without his 1nowled0e or that he
e'ercised all due dili0ence to pre(ent its commission%
(9) Bothwithstandin0 anythin0 contained in sub-section (5)" where the contempt of court referred
to therein has been committed by a company and it is pro(ed that the contempt has been
committed with the consent or conni(ance of" or is attributable to any ne0lect on the part of" any
director" mana0er" secretary or other officer of the company" such director" mana0er" secretary or
other officer shall also be deemed to be 0uilty of the contempt and the punishment may be
enforced" with the lea(e of the court" by the detention in ci(il prison of such director" mana0er"
secretary or other officer%
01planation. - Cor the purpose of sub-sections (5) and (9) -
-(a)- -company- means any body corporate and includes a firm or other association of
indi(iduals. and
-(b)- -director-" in relation to a firm" means a partner in the firm%
Comments
--d interim in/unction limited to specific period-Bo e'tension-Bo contempt if (iolation is
alle0ed after e'piry of stipulated period% N."athinasabapathy v. K.S. !alaniappa Kandar. 1##9
!ri%8%*% 76&& ()!)
--!riminal !ontempt-newspaper article-8iability of editor e'tends to all acts committed
pertainin0 to publication% B.A. "ather and another v. %.K. &ua and other. 1##5 !ir%8%*% 7515 (*
H +)%
--Ille0al confinement durin0 the period when appellant was on anticipatory bail-ct
confinin0 to prison not only atrocious but interferin0 with due course of /ustice and amountin0
to deliberate attempt to obstruct administration of /ustice-)imple imprisonment of one month
awarded for ille0al confinement%- Ra/endra +umar Hanr% ?ersus )tate of Ra/asthan and
Ather%- 1##6 !r% R% =9& (Ra/)%
1$. Conte*'t# not '(ni#ha)le in &ertain &a#e#. ? Botwithstandin0 anythin0 contained in
any law for the time bein0 in force" no court shall impose a sentence under this ct for a
contempt of court unless it is satisfied that the contempt is of such a nature that it substantially
interferes" or tends substantially to interfere with the due course of /ustice%
1-. Pro&ed(re 2here &onte*'t i# in the "a&e o" the S('re*e Co(rt or a Hi/h Co(rt. ? (1)
;hen it is alle0ed" or appears to the )upreme !ourt or the 2i0h !ourt upon it own (iew" that a
person has been 0uilty of contempt committed in its presence or hearin0" the court may cause
such person to be detained in custody" and" at any time before the risin0 of the court" on the
same day" or as early as possible thereafter" shall -
-(a)- cause him to be informed in writin0 of the contempt with which he is char0ed.
-(b)-- afford him an opportunity to ma1e his defence to the char0e.
-(c)- after ta1in0 such e(idence as may be necessary or as may be offered by such person
and after hearin0 him" proceed" either forthwith or after ad/ournment" to determine the matter
of the char0e. and
-(d)- ma1e such order for the punishment or dischar0ed of such person as may be /ust%
(&) Botwithstandin0 anythin0 contained in sub-section (1)" where a person char0ed with contempt
under that sub-section applies" whether orally or in writin0" to ha(e the char0e a0ainst him tried
by some *ud0e other than the *ud0e or *ud0es in whose presence or hearin0 the offence is
alle0ed to ha(e been committed" and the court is of opinion that it is practicable to do so and that
in the interests of proper administration of /ustice the application should be allowed" it shall cause
the matter to be placed" to0ether with a statement of the facts of the case" before the !hief
*ustice for such directions as he may thin1 fit to issue as respects the trial thereof%
(7) Botwithstandin0 anythin0 contained in any other law" in any trial of a person char0ed with
contempt under sub-section (1) which is held" in pursuance of a direction 0i(en under sub-section
(&)" by a *ud0e other than the *ud0e or *ud0es in whose presence or hearin0 the offence is
alle0ed to ha(e been committed" it shall not be necessary for the *ud0e or *ud0es in whose
presence or hearin0 the offence is alle0ed to ha(e been committed to appear as a witness and
the statement placed before the !hief *ustice under sub-section (&) shall be treated as e(idence
in the case%
(5) Pendin0 the determination of the char0e" the court may direct that a person char0ed with
contempt under this section shall be detained in such custody as it may specify:
Pro(ided further that the court may" if it thin1s fit" instead of ta1in0 bail from such person"
dischar0e him on his e'ecutin0 a bond without sureties for his attendance as aforesaid%
10. Co/ni6an&e o" &ri*inal &onte*'t in other &a#e#. ? (1) In the case of a criminal contempt"
other than a contempt referred to in )ection 15" the )upreme !ourt or the 2i0h !ourt may ta1e
action on its own motion or on a motion made by -
-(a)- the d(ocate-Ieneral" or
-(b)- any other person" with the consent in writin0 of the d(ocate-Ieneral"
ii
+, DorE
-
iii
+$, D(c)- in relation to the 2i0h !ourt for the 3nion territory of @elhi" such 8aw Afficer as the
!entral Io(ernment may" by notification in the Afficial IaFette" specify in this behalf" or any
other person" with the consent in writin0 of such 8aw Afficer%E
(&) In the case of any criminal contempt of a subordinate court" the 2i0h !ourt may ta1e action on
a reference made to it by the subordinate court on a motion made by the d(ocate-Ieneral or" in
relation to a 3nion territory" by such 8aw Afficer as the !entral Io(ernment may" by notification
in the Afficial IaFette" specify in this behalf%
(7) G(ery motion or reference made under this section shall specify the contempt of which the
person char0ed is alle0ed to be 0uilty%
01planation. - In this section" the e'pression -d(ocate-Ieneral- means -
-(a)- in relation to the )upreme !ourt" the ttorney-Ieneral- or the )olicitor-Ieneral.
-(b)- in relation to the 2i0h !ourt" the d(ocate-Ieneral of the )tate or any of the )tates for
which the 2i0h !ourt has been established%
-(c)- in relation to the court of a *udicial !ommissioner" such 8aw Afficer as the !entral
Io(ernment may" by notification in the Afficial IaFette" specify in this behalf%
11. Conte*'t )4 .(d/e, *a/i#trate or other 'er#on a&tin/ .(di&iall4. ? (1) )ub/ect to the
pro(isions of any law for the time bein0 in force" a /ud0e" ma0istrate or other person actin0
/udicially shall also be liable for contempt of his own court or of any other court in the same
manner as any other indi(idual is liable and the pro(isions of this ct shall" so far as may be"
apply accordin0ly%
(&) Bothin0 in this section shall apply to any obser(ations or remar1s made by a /ud0e" ma0istrate
or other person actin0 /udicially" re0ardin0 a subordinate court in an appeal or re(ision pendin0
before such /ud0e" ma0istrate or the person a0ainst the order or /ud0ment of the subordinate
court%
Comments
----!ontempt proceedin0s a0ainst *udicial Afficer are maintainable% Baba Abdul Khan v.
Smt. A.&. Sawant. ).M.2.., Nagpur and other, 1##5 !ir%8%*% &=76 (Bom%)
17. Pro&ed(re a"ter &o/ni6an&e. ? (1) Botice of e(ery proceedin0 under )ection 19 shall be
ser(ed personally on the person char0ed" unless the court for reasons to be recorded directs
otherwise%
(&) The notice shall be accompanied -
-(a)- in the case of proceedin0s commenced on a motion" by a copy of the motion as also
copies of the affida(its" if any" on which such motion is founded. and
-(b)- in case of proceedin0s commenced on a reference by a subordinate court" by a copy of
the reference%
(7) The !ourt may" if it is satisfied that a person char0ed under )ection 19 is li1ely to abscond or
1eep out of the way to a(oid ser(ice of the notice" order the attachment of his property of such
(alue or amount as it may deem reasonable%
(5) G(ery attachment under sub-section (7) shall be effected in the manner pro(ided in the !ode
of !i(il Procedure" 1#4= (9 of 1#4=)" for the attachment of property in e'ecution of a decree for
payment of money" and if" after such attachment" the person char0ed appears and shows to the
satisfaction of the court that he did not abscond or 1eep out of the way to a(oid ser(ice of the
notice" the court shall order the release of his property from attachment upon such terms as to
costs or otherwise as it may thin1 fit%
(9) ny person char0ed with contempt under )ection 19 may file an affida(it in support of his
defence" and the court may determine the matter of the char0e either on the affida(its filed or
after ta1in0 such further e(idence as may be necessary" and pass such order as the /ustice of the
case re,uires"
13. Hearin/ o" &a#e# o" &ri*inal &onte*'t to )e )4 7en&he#. ? (1) G(ery case of criminal
contempt under )ection 19 shall be heard and determined by a Bench of not less than two
*ud0es%
(&) )ub-section (1) shall not apply to the !ourt of a *udicial !ommissioner%
19.? A''eal#. ? (1) n appeal shall lie as of ri0ht from any order or decision of 2i0h !ourt in the
e'ercise of its /urisdiction to punish for contempt -
-(a)- where the order or decision is that of a sin0le /ud0e" to a Bench of not less than two
*ud0e of the court.
-(b)- where the order or decision is that of a Bench" to the )upreme !ourt%
Pro(ided that where the order or decision is that of the !ourt of the *udicial !ommissioner in any
3nion territory" such appeal shall lie to the )upreme !ourt%
(&) Pendin0 any appeal" the appellate court may order that -
-(a)- the e'ecution of the punishment or order appealed a0ainst be suspended.
-(b)- if the appellant is in confinement" he be released on bail. and
-(c)- the appeal be heard notwithstandin0 that the appellant has not pur0ed his contempt%
(7) ;here any person a00rie(ed by any order a0ainst which an appeal may be filed satisfies the
2i0h !ourt that he intends to prefer an appeal" the 2i0h !ourt may also e'ercise all or any of the
powers conferred by sub-section (&)%
(5) n appeal under sub-section (1) shall be filed -
-(a)- in the case of an appeal to a Bench of the 2i0h !ourt" within thirty days.
-(b)- in the case of an appeal to the )upreme !ourt" within si'ty days"
from the date of the order appealed a0ainst%
Comments
ppeal-Bo appeal lies to a @i(ision Bench a0ainst the order of a leamed sin0le *ud0e
dismissin0 the application filed for contempt of !ourt% S. Sammaiah and .ther v. Andhra !radesh
State 0lectricity Board. 1##5 !ri% *% 7=74 : 1##5(&) ndh 8T $&#: 1##5 (&) P8* &65(%P%)
5. 8i*itation "or a&tion# "or &onte*'t. ? Bo court shall initiate any proceedin0s of contempt"
either on its own motion or otherwise" after the e'piry of a period of one year from the date on
which the contempt is alle0ed to ha(e been committed%
Comment
!ontempt proceedin0s-Power of 2i0h !ourt-Is absolute and unfettered% A. Mayilswami v. State
of (erala 32B4 1##9 !ri%8%*% 7=74 (+erala)
1. A&t not to a''l4 to Nyaya Panchayats or other 9illa/e &o(rt#. ? Bothin0 contained in this
ct shall apply in relation to contempt of Nyaya !anchayats or other (illa0e courts" by whate(er
name 1nown" for the administration of /ustice" established under any law%
. A&t to )e in addition to, and not in dero/ation o", other la2# relatin/ to &onte*'t. ? The
pro(isions of this ct shall be in addition to" and not in dero0ation of the pro(isions of any other
law relatin0 to contempt of courts%
$. Po2er o" S('re*e Co(rt and Hi/h Co(rt# to *a:e r(le#. ? The )upreme !ourt or" as the
case may be" any 2i0h !ourt" may ma1e rules" not inconsistent with the pro(isions of this ct"
pro(idin0 for any matter relatin0 to its procedure%
-. Re'eal. ?The !ontempt of !ourts ct" 1#9& (7& of 1#9&)" is hereby repealed%-
i[1] Now Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974).
ii[2] Ins. ! "c# No. 4$ of 197%.
iii[3] Ins. ! "c# No. 4$ of 197%.