Contempt of court is a concept that seeks to protect judicial institutions from motivated attacks and unwarranted criticism, and as a legal mechanism to punish those who lower its authority.
Article 129 of the Constitution conferred on the Supreme Court the power to punish contempt of itself.
Article 215 conferred a corresponding power on the High Courts.
It is one of the restrictions on freedom of speech and expression under Indian Constitution
The punishment for contempt of court is simple imprisonment for a term up to six months and/or a fine of up to Rs. 2,000.
Civil contempt is committed when someone wilfully disobeys a court order, or wilfully breaches an undertaking given to court.
Criminal contempt consists of three forms:
Words, signs and actions that “scandalize” or “lower” the authority of any court.
Prejudices or interferes with any judicial proceeding.
Interferes with or obstructs the administration of justice.
Fair and accurate reporting of judicial proceedings and fair criticism on the merits of a judicial order after a case is heard and disposed of will not amount to contempt of court.
The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 was amended in 2006 to introduce truth as a valid defence against a charge of contempt, if it was in public interest and was invoked in a bona fide manner.
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