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CONTEMPT OF COURT

INTRODUCTION
Contempt is an intense feeling or attitude regarding someone or
something as inferior, base, or worthless. In law, it is a well known
expression and it is similar to scorn or misprision.1 It is disrespect to
the court or the person connected with the courts or legislative body.
Thus law of contempt is basically intended to safeguard the interests
of administration of justice, which must necessarily be fearless,
impartial and upright.
The law governing the contempt of Court are Contempt of Courts
Act, 1971 and Article 129 and Article 215 of Constitution of India,
1950.
PURPOSE OF CONTEMPT LAW
Free and fair administration of justice depends upon non
interference by any authority or organ in that great process. When
there is interference by an individual, press or any other organ of the
state in the administration of justice, judiciary intervenes as the
protector of the rule of law through its contempt power. The basic
purpose of the contempt jurisdiction is to provide sanction against any
word or conduct which is likely to prejudice or interfere with fair trial. 1

1 K. Balasankaran Nair, Law of Contempt of Court In India, Atlantic Publishers and

Distributers, 2004, P. 3.

One of the basic principles of any civilized system of justice is

that a person is entitled to fair free trial from prejudice. One purpose
of the law of contempt is to provide sanctions against any word or
conduct which is likely to prejudice fair trial. There is no unanimity of
opinion as to the exact purpose of the law of contempt. Lord President
Clyde, Phillimore Committee, and Justice Frankfurter expressed the
opinion that the contempt law exists for the maintenance of
fundamental supremacy of law.
MEANING
DEFINATION
CASE LAWS