Consider the following statements:
1. The Supreme Court has the exclusive power to punish for the contempt of a court.
2. The consent of the Attorney General is mandatory for initiating all contempt of court cases.
3. Wilful disobedience of an order of a court falls under Criminal Contempt as per Contempt of Court Act, 1971.
4. The contempt proceedings must be initiated within one year from the date on which contempt is alleged to have been committed.

How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only One
(b) Only Two
(c) Only Three
(d) All Four

Question

Consider the following statements:
1. The Supreme Court has the exclusive power to punish for the contempt of a court.
2. The consent of the Attorney General is mandatory for initiating all contempt of court cases.
3. Wilful disobedience of an order of a court falls under Criminal Contempt as per Contempt of Court Act, 1971.
4. The contempt proceedings must be initiated within one year from the date on which contempt is alleged to have been committed.

How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only One
(b) Only Two
(c) Only Three
(d) All Four

ONLiNE UPSC · Accepted Answer

Statement 1 is incorrect: Contempt of Court refers to the offence of showing disrespect to the dignity or authority of a court. It can be initiated for contempt of any court in the country, however the power to punish for the contempt is vested only with the Supreme Court and High Court.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Attorney General's (AG) consent is mandatory only when a private citizen wants to initiate a case of contempt of court against a person. Article 129 of the Constitution gives the Supreme Court the power to initiate contempt cases on its own, independent of the motion brought before it by the AG or with the consent of the AG

Statement 3 is incorrect: The Contempt of Court Act, 1971 divides contempt into civil and criminal contempt. Civil contempt refers to the wilful disobedience of an order of any court.

Statement 4 is correct: As per Section 20 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, no court can initiate contempt proceedings after the expiration of one year from the date on which the contempt is alleged to have been committed.

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M Question 1	⏱ 0
Consider the following statements: 1. The Supreme Court has the exclusive power to punish for the contempt of a court. 2. The consent of the Attorney General is mandatory for initiating all contempt of court cases. 3. Wilful disobedience of an order of a court falls under Criminal Contempt as per Contempt of Court Act, 1971. 4. The contempt proceedings must be initiated within one year from the date on which contempt is alleged to have been committed. How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only One (b) Only Two (c) Only Three (d) All Four

Contempt of Court

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