Segment 5: MCQs (61–80)
- What is the limitation period for initiating contempt proceedings under the Contempt of Court Act, 1971?
a) 3 months
b) 6 months
c) 1 year
d) 2 years
- Which section of the Contempt of Court Act provides immunity for certain publications?
a) Section 4
b) Section 5
c) Section 10
d) Section 12
- Which of the following is not considered “civil contempt” under the Act?
a) Failure to obey a court order
b) Breach of an undertaking given to a court
c) Public criticism of a court judgment
d) Non-compliance with a legal directive
- In which case did the Supreme Court rule that truth can be used as a defense only if it is in public interest?
a) S.P. Gupta v. Union of India
b) Subramanian Swamy v. Arun Shourie
c) E.M. Sankaran Namboodiripad v. T. Narayanan Nambiar
d) In Re: Arundhati Roy
- Under Section 15, who can bring a motion for criminal contempt in the Supreme Court?
a) Any private citizen
b) The Attorney General or Solicitor General
c) Any journalist
d) The Chief Justice of India only
- Which provision allows for the defense of an apology in contempt proceedings?
a) Section 10
b) Section 12
c) Section 13
d) Section 20
- The Contempt of Court Act, 1971, categorizes contempt into which of the following types?
a) Civil and criminal
b) General and specific
c) Direct and indirect
d) Statutory and non-statutory
- What is the punishment for contempt of court as per Section 12 of the Act?
a) 1 month imprisonment or a fine of ₹1,000
b) 3 months imprisonment or a fine of ₹2,000
c) 6 months imprisonment or a fine of ₹2,000
d) 1-year imprisonment or a fine of ₹5,000
- Which landmark case defined the parameters of fair criticism in contempt cases?
a) C.K. Daphtary v. O.P. Gupta
b) E.M. Sankaran Namboodiripad v. T. Narayanan Nambiar
c) Subramanian Swamy v. Arun Shourie
d) Arundhati Roy v. Union of India
- In which case did the Supreme Court state that a bona fide criticism of a judgment is permissible?
a) E.M. Sankaran Namboodiripad v. T. Narayanan Nambiar
b) Subramanian Swamy v. Arun Shourie
c) K.K. Verma v. State of Bihar
d) C.K. Daphtary v. O.P. Gupta
- Under Section 10, which courts have the power to punish for contempt of subordinate courts?
a) District courts
b) High Courts
c) Supreme Court
d) Magistrate courts
- Which of the following is an example of “criminal contempt”?
a) Willful disobedience of a court order
b) Publishing prejudicial opinions on a pending case
c) Refusing to testify as a witness
d) Breaching a private contract
- What must be proven to establish a defense of good faith under the Contempt of Court Act?
a) The statement was factual
b) The statement was made without malice and in public interest
c) The statement was made in a private capacity
d) The statement was withdrawn after publication
- Which case clarified that even judges are subject to accountability and fair criticism?
a) Arundhati Roy v. Union of India
b) Re Harijai Singh
c) S.P. Gupta v. Union of India
d) In Re: Vinay Chandra Mishra
- Which of the following is not a defense against a contempt charge?
a) Public interest
b) Fair criticism
c) Bona fide apology
d) Ignorance of the law
- In which case did the Supreme Court state that the power of contempt should be used sparingly?
a) Arundhati Roy v. Union of India
b) Re Harijai Singh
c) E.M. Sankaran Namboodiripad v. T. Narayanan Nambiar
d) Balogh v. Crown Court