Contempt of Courts Act, 1971
An Act to define and limit the powers of certain courts in punishing contempts of courts and to regulate their procedure in relation thereto.
- 1 Short title and extent
- 2 Definitions 63 judgments
- 3 Innocent publication and distribution of matter not contempt 8 judgments
- 4 Fair and accurate report of judicial proceeding not contempt 2 judgments
- 5 Fair criticism of judicial act not contempt 3 judgments
- 6 Complaint against presiding officers of subordinate courts when not contempt
- 7 Publication of information relating to proceedings in chambers or in camera not contempt except in certain cases 1 judgment
- 8 Other defences not affected
- 9 Act not to imply enlargement of scope of contempt 1 judgment
- 10 Power of High Court to punish contempts of subordinate courts 7 judgments
- 11 Power of High Court to try offences committed or offenders found outside jurisdiction 6 judgments
- 12 Punishment for contempt of court 43 judgments
- 13 Contempts not punishable in certain cases 5 judgments
- 14 Procedure where contempt is in the face of the Supreme Court or a High Court 15 judgments
- 15 Cognizance of criminal contempt in other cases 22 judgments
- 16 Contempt by judge, magistrate or other person acting judicially 4 judgments
- 17 Procedure after cognizance 3 judgments
- 18 Hearing of cases of criminal contempt to be by Benches 2 judgments
- 19 Appeals 43 judgments
- 20 Limitation for actions for contempt 13 judgments
- 21 Act not to apply to Nyaya Panchayats or other village courts
- 22 Act to be in addition to, and not in derogation of, other laws relating to contempt
- 23 Power of Supreme Court and High Courts to make rules 10 judgments
- 24 Repeal
Source: India Code (indiacode.gov.in), the consolidated text published by the Legislative Department, Government of India. Text as updated on India Code on 15 October 2026. Words in square brackets [ ] were inserted or substituted by later amending Acts, and *** marks words omitted by an amendment. The amendment footnotes are not reproduced here. Official text on India Code.