📘 Q.1 IAS Prelims 2022 — Polity & Governance: Contempt of Court
🧷 Authentic Classroom Explanation by IAS Monk
📍 The Question:
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?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 4
(c) 3 and 4 only
(d) 3 only
✅ Correct Answer: (b)
🔎 Curiosity Raiser (UPSC focus)
UPSC is testing whether you can separate:
- constitutional empowerment,
- statutory definition, and
- legislative competence
The trap is assuming that if courts have power, Parliament has no role.
🧠 Core Concept Tested
Contempt of Court — Constitutional powers vs Statutory framework
🔍 Classroom Explanation (UPSC Prelims Focused)
Statement 1 ✅
- The H.N. Sanyal Committee (1961) examined the law of contempt in India.
- Its recommendations led to the enactment of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.
👉 Statement 1 is correct.
Statement 2 ✅
- Article 129 → Supreme Court is a Court of Record with power to punish for its contempt.
- Article 215 → High Courts enjoy the same power.
👉 Statement 2 is correct.
Statement 3 ❌
- The Constitution does not define civil or criminal contempt.
- These definitions are provided under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.
👉 Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 4 ✅
- Parliament is competent to legislate on contempt of court.
- This power has been exercised through the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.
👉 Statement 4 is correct.
❌ Why the final answer is (b)
- Statements 1, 2, and 4 are correct.
- Statement 3 is incorrect.
- Hence, option (b).
📘 Enrich Notes (Prelims Value Add)
- Articles 129 & 215 → Contempt powers of SC and HCs
- Court of Record → Power to punish for contempt inherent
- Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 → Defines civil & criminal contempt
- Balance aimed → Judicial dignity vs Freedom of Speech (Article 19)
📌 Prelims Recall Line
Courts get power from the Constitution; definitions come from Parliament.
🧘♂️ IAS Monk Whisper
Authority of justice is constitutional;
its contours are statutory.