The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971
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An Act To Define And Limit The Powers Of Certain Courts In Punishing Contempts Of Courts And To Regulate Their Procedure In Relation Thereto.
Act Number
70
Enactment
1971-12-24
Ministry
Ministry Of Law And Justice
Section 1Short title and extent.Section 2Definitions.Section 3Innocent publication and distribution of matter not contempt.Section 4Fair and accurate report of judicial proceeding not contempt.Section 5Fair criticism of judicial act not contempt.Section 6Complaint against presiding officers of subordinate courts when not contempt.Section 7Publication of information relating to proceedings in chambers or in camera not contempt except in certain cases.Section 8Other defences not affected.Section 9Act not to imply enlargement of scope of contempt.Section 10Power of High Court to punish contempts of subordinate courts.Section 11Power of High Court to try offences committed or offenders found outside jurisdiction.Section 12Punishment for contempt of court.Section 13Contempts not punishable in certain cases.Section 14Procedure where contempt is in the face of the Supreme Court or a High Court.Section 15Cognizance of criminal contempt in other cases.Section 16Contempt by judge, magistrate or other person acting judicially.Section 17Procedure after cognizance.Section 18Hearing of cases of criminal contempt to be by Benches.Section 19Appeals.Section 20Limitation for actions for contempt.Section 21Act not to apply to Nyaya Panchayats or other village courts.Section 22Act to be in addition to, and not in derogation of, other laws relating to contempt.Section 23Power of Supreme Court and High Courts to make rules.Section 24Repeal.