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UPSC Prelims 2022 · Polity · Judiciary
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.
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 1, 2 and 4
- (c) 3 and 4 only
- (d) 3 only
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 4
Sanyal Committee → 1971 Act; Arts. 129/215; Parliament’s legislative power. Only 3 is false.
Statement by statement
1. ✓ CORRECT The H.N. Sanyal Committee (1963) reviewed contempt law; the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 followed its report.
2. ✓ CORRECT — Arts. 129, 215 Both are courts of record with power to punish contempt of themselves.
3. ✗ WRONG The definitions are in Section 2 of the 1971 Act, not in the Constitution.
4. ✓ CORRECT Contempt of court is in the Union List (Entry 77) for the Supreme Court and the Concurrent List (Entry 14) generally.
The idea
Civil contempt: wilful disobedience of a court order or breach of an undertaking. Criminal contempt: scandalising the court, prejudicing proceedings, or obstructing justice. 2006 amendment: truth in the public interest is a defence.
Why the others are wrong
(a) Drops 4 — Parliament can make contempt law (the 1971 Act is one).
(c) Keeps 3, which wrongly puts the definitions in the Constitution.
(d) Keeps only the false statement.
The trap
Once you know the Constitution gives the power (Arts. 129/215), it feels natural that it defines the offence too. It does not.
🔒 Contempt: power = Arts. 129 (SC), 215 (HC) · definitions = Contempt of Courts Act 1971 (Sanyal Committee) · truth is a defence since 2006.