Consider the following statements : 1. Pursuant to the report of H.N. Sanyal Committee, the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 was passed. 2. The Constitution of India empowers the Supreme Court and the High Courts to punish for contempt of themselves. 3. The Constitution of India defines Civil Contempt and Criminal Contempt. 4. 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 ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) 3 and 4 only
- (d) 3 only
Why the answer is (b)
• Statement 1 is correct: the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 was enacted on the recommendations of the H.N. Sanyal Committee (1961–63).
• Statement 2 is correct: Articles 129 and 215 make the Supreme Court and High Courts 'courts of record' with power to punish for contempt of themselves.
• Statement 4 is correct: contempt of court is Entry 77 of the Union List and Entry 14 of the Concurrent List, so Parliament (and States) may legislate on it.
• Statement 3 is wrong: the Constitution nowhere defines contempt; civil and criminal contempt are defined in Section 2 of the 1971 Act.
• Hence 1, 2 and 4, option (b).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- Statement 4 on Parliament's legislative power is also correct.
- (c) 3 and 4 only
- Statement 3 is wrong: the Act, not the Constitution, defines contempt.
- (d) 3 only
- Statement 3 is wrong; statements 1, 2 and 4 are correct.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2022, held on 5 June 2022. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.