Segment 6: MCQs (81–100)
81. Under the Contempt of Court Act, which authority can initiate contempt proceedings in the Supreme Court without prior approval?
a) Chief Justice of India
b) Any Judge of the Supreme Court
c) Attorney General or Solicitor General
d) President of India
82. Which section of the Act discusses the punishment for contempt?
a) Section 11
b) Section 12
c) Section 14
d) Section 16
83. What is the primary objective of the Contempt of Court Act, 1971?
a) To uphold the independence of the judiciary
b) To regulate judicial appointments
c) To punish corruption in the judiciary
d) To ensure the implementation of laws
84. Which case laid down the principle that truth is a defense in contempt cases?
a) Subramanian Swamy v. Arun Shourie
b) E.M. Sankaran Namboodiripad v. T. Narayanan Nambiar
c) In Re: Arundhati Roy
d) Re: Vinay Chandra Mishra
85. Who has the power to punish for contempt of subordinate courts?
a) District Courts
b) High Courts
c) Supreme Court
d) Both High Courts and Supreme Court
86. What does “civil contempt” primarily involve?
a) Scandalizing the judiciary
b) Obstructing justice
c) Wilful disobedience of court orders
d) Criticizing judicial decisions
87. Which section protects publications made in good faith concerning pending judicial proceedings?
a) Section 3
b) Section 4
c) Section 5
d) Section 6
88. Which of the following is an example of “criminal contempt”?
a) Failure to pay court-ordered maintenance
b) Criticism of a judgment in private conversations
c) Disobedience of a restraining order
d) Scandalizing the judiciary through false allegations
89. In which case did the Supreme Court clarify that contempt proceedings cannot be initiated after six months?
a) Pritam Pal v. High Court of Madhya Pradesh
b) Baradakanta Mishra v. Registrar of Orissa High Court
c) J.R. Parashar v. Prashant Bhushan
d) T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad v. Ashok Khot
90. What is the defense for contempt under Section 13?
a) Good faith
b) Bona fide mistake
c) Unintentional disobedience
d) Lack of jurisdiction
91. Which case is associated with the principle that contempt power must not curtail freedom of speech excessively?
a) S. Mulgaokar v. Unknown
b) In Re: Arundhati Roy
c) E.M. Sankaran Namboodiripad v. T. Narayanan Nambiar
d) C.K. Daphtary v. O.P. Gupta
92. Which court can transfer a contempt case from one High Court to another?
a) District Court
b) Supreme Court
c) The concerned High Court
d) Attorney General
93. Which section of the Act deals with the procedure in cases of criminal contempt?
a) Section 12
b) Section 14
c) Section 18
d) Section 20
94. What does “scandalizing the court” imply under the Act?
a) Questioning the authority of judges
b) Making allegations that erode public confidence in the judiciary
c) Publishing judgments without permission
d) Criticizing lawyers publicly
95. Can contempt charges be appealed? If so, under which section?
a) Yes, under Section 12
b) Yes, under Section 19
c) No appeal is allowed
d) Yes, under Section 22
96. Which case emphasized the principle of restraint in contempt powers?
a) E.M. Sankaran Namboodiripad v. T. Narayanan Nambiar
b) S. Mulgaokar v. Unknown
c) C.K. Daphtary v. O.P. Gupta
d) In Re: Vinay Chandra Mishra
97. Who must grant consent to initiate criminal contempt proceedings in the High Court?
a) Advocate General
b) Chief Justice of the High Court
c) Registrar of the High Court
d) Attorney General
98. Which of the following is not a defense in criminal contempt cases?
a) Truth
b) Bona fide apology
c) Lack of intent
d) Ignorance of the law
99. Which of the following is required for fair criticism of judicial acts to avoid contempt?
a) Must be made privately
b) Should not affect pending proceedings
c) Must have the judge’s approval
d) Should focus only on lower courts
100. Which case ruled that truth as a defense must be accompanied by public interest?
a) Subramanian Swamy v. Arun Shourie
b) Arundhati Roy v. Union of India
c) S. Mulgaokar v. Unknown
d) Baradakanta Mishra v. Registrar of Orissa High Court