Short Essay on Contempt of Court – For any civil society, maintenance of law and order is paramount, as in absence of it there can be no social development because of the lack of honest, fearless endeavor.
It is, therefore, imperative that justice is administered without fear and favour. This can only be achieved when the courts and judges are protected from insults, annoyance and unfair criticism.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
The dignity of court should not be allowed to be lowered by any undignified words or acts of any party so that the faith and respect of the people in the institution of judiciary does not suffer. The law of contempt, enacted in 1971, empowers the High Courts and the Supreme Court to proceed against those who commit contempt of these courts and also of the subordinate courts.
The Constitution of India also has provisions for the courts so as to punish for their own contempt. Contempt of court may be civil, where defiance of a court order is there, or criminal, where the dignity of the court is lowered by actions like assault on the judge or inappropriate behaviour inside the courtroom. The maximum punishment for the contempt of court is six months simple imprisonment or a fine to Rs. 2000 or both.
Image Source: 185.26.182.219