Segment 3: MCQs (21–40)
- Which of the following is NOT considered criminal contempt under Section 2(c) of the Contempt of Court Act, 1971?
a) Scandalizing the court
b) Disobeying a court order
c) Interfering with judicial proceedings
d) Reporting court proceedings in an inaccurate manner
- Which case established that the power of contempt is inherent in the courts to maintain the dignity of the judicial process?
a) E.M. Sankaran Namboodiripad v. T. Narayanan Nambiar
b) Subramanian Swamy v. Arun Shourie
c) Contempt of Court v. M.K. Aiyer
d) In Re: Arundhati Roy
- What defense can be raised in contempt proceedings according to Section 13 of the Contempt of Court Act?
a) The action was done in good faith
b) The action was not committed knowingly
c) The statement was true and in public interest
d) The defendant was unaware of the court’s order
- Which of the following is an example of civil contempt under the Contempt of Court Act?
a) Criticizing a judge in public
b) Interfering with the administration of justice
c) Willful disobedience of a court order
d) Publishing defamatory material about the court
- Which section of the Contempt of Court Act, 1971 allows for the punishment of contempt of court?
a) Section 12
b) Section 13
c) Section 2
d) Section 15
- What is the maximum period of imprisonment for contempt as prescribed under Section 12 of the Act?
a) 3 months
b) 6 months
c) 12 months
d) 1 year
- Which of the following is NOT an exception to contempt under the Contempt of Court Act, 1971?
a) Fair and accurate reporting of court proceedings
b) Truth, if made in the public interest
c) Apology made in good faith
d) Imposing any condition on freedom of speech
- In which case did the Supreme Court declare that fair criticism of the judiciary does not amount to contempt of court?
a) E.M. Sankaran Namboodiripad v. T. Narayanan Nambiar
b) In Re: Arundhati Roy
c) Subramanian Swamy v. Arun Shourie
d) Re: Harijai Singh
- Which article of the Constitution empowers the High Courts to punish for contempt?
a) Article 215
b) Article 129
c) Article 226
d) Article 14
- What is the primary objective of the Contempt of Court Act, 1971?
a) To protect the rights of accused persons
b) To regulate the media’s role in reporting judicial proceedings
c) To maintain the dignity and authority of the judiciary
d) To enhance the powers of the legislature
- Under the Contempt of Court Act, which of the following can be considered a “scandalizing the court”?
a) Offering a false defense
b) Publishing statements that discredit the integrity of the judiciary
c) Submitting misleading evidence
d) Delaying the court proceedings
- What is an example of civil contempt?
a) Criticizing the judiciary publicly
b) Failing to comply with a court order
c) Giving false testimony
d) Trying to influence a judge
- What does Section 15 of the Contempt of Court Act, 1971 deal with?
a) Punishment for contempt
b) The procedure for initiating contempt proceedings
c) Defenses against contempt
d) The definition of contempt
- Which case highlighted the power of the courts to punish for contempt and emphasized its constitutional significance?
a) Re: Arundhati Roy
b) E.M. Sankaran Namboodiripad v. T. Narayanan Nambiar
c) K.K. Verma v. State of Bihar
d) Contempt of Court v. M.K. Aiyer
- What is the maximum fine imposed for contempt under Section 12 of the Contempt of Court Act?
a) ₹5,000
b) ₹10,000
c) ₹2,000
d) ₹1,000
- Which of the following is a defense to a charge of contempt?
a) The statement was made in good faith
b) The statement was made as a joke
c) The statement was not widely disseminated
d) The statement was made outside the country
- Which of the following can be punished under the Contempt of Court Act?
a) An individual who publicly criticizes a judgment
b) A lawyer who deliberately delays court proceedings
c) A person who fails to pay a court-ordered fine
d) A person who disrespects a court order
- What is the principal objective of the Contempt of Court Act, 1971?
a) To restrict public criticism of the government
b) To preserve and protect the independence of the judiciary
c) To limit the jurisdiction of courts
d) To increase the power of elected representatives
- Which case involved a contempt charge for publishing statements against the judiciary in the media?
a) In Re: Arundhati Roy
b) E.M. Sankaran Namboodiripad v. T. Narayanan Nambiar
c) Subramanian Swamy v. Arun Shourie
d) Re Harijai Singh
- Under which section can a defense of an unconditional apology be raised?
a) Section 2
b) Section 13
c) Section 4
d) Section 15