Consider the following statements :
- Pursuant to the report of H.N. Sanyal Committee, the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 was passed.
- The Constitution of India empowers the Supreme Court and the High Courts to punish for contempt of themselves.
- The Constitution of India defines Civil Contempt and Criminal Contempt.
- In India, the Parliament is vested with the powers to make laws on Contempt of Court.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 1, 2 and 4
The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 was enacted following the H.N. Sanyal Committee's recommendations. The Constitution empowers the Supreme Court (Article 129) and High Courts (Article 215) to punish for contempt of themselves, and Parliament has legislative competence to make laws on contempt of court under Entry 77 of Union List.
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 was passed pursuant to the H.N. Sanyal Committee report which examined the law relating to contempt of courts.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Articles 129 and 215 of the Constitution expressly empower the Supreme Court and High Courts respectively to punish for contempt of themselves.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: The Constitution does not define civil contempt and criminal contempt; these definitions are provided in Section 2 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.
✅ Statement 4 – Correct: Parliament has the power to legislate on contempt of court under Entry 77 of the Union List (Seventh Schedule), which enabled the enactment of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.
📝 Short Notes: Contempt of Court
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Constitutional Provisions | Article 129 (Supreme Court) and Article 215 (High Courts) confer power to punish for contempt of themselves |
| Legislative Competence | Entry 77, Union List (Seventh Schedule) - Constitution and organization of Supreme Court and High Courts; Contempt of such courts |
| H.N. Sanyal Committee | Examined the law relating to contempt of courts; led to enactment of Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 |
| Civil Contempt | Wilful disobedience to any judgment, decree, direction, order, writ or other process of a court (Section 2(b), 1971 Act) |
| Criminal Contempt | Publication of any matter or doing of any act which scandalizes or tends to scandalize, or lowers or tends to lower the authority of any court (Section 2(c), 1971 Act) |
| Article 19(2) | Reasonable restrictions on freedom of speech can be imposed in relation to contempt of court |
Question 2 of 6 Jurisdiction and Powers
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