Segment 7: MCQs (101–120)
101. Which section of the Contempt of Court Act, 1971, limits the time within which contempt proceedings can be initiated?
a) Section 10
b) Section 15
c) Section 20
d) Section 22
102. What is the maximum term of imprisonment for contempt under the Act?
a) 3 months
b) 6 months
c) 1 year
d) 2 years
103. Which principle was highlighted in the case of E.M. Sankaran Namboodiripad v. T. Narayanan Nambiar?
a) Truth as a defense
b) Freedom of speech versus contempt
c) Scandalizing the court
d) Limitation for contempt
104. Under the Act, who can take suo motu cognizance of contempt?
a) Supreme Court and High Courts
b) District Courts
c) President of India
d) Attorney General
105. Which of the following is not included in the definition of criminal contempt?
a) Scandalizing the judiciary
b) Interfering with court proceedings
c) Failure to pay a fine
d) Obstructing the administration of justice
106. What is the role of the Advocate General in contempt cases under the Act?
a) Represent the accused
b) Approve proceedings in subordinate courts
c) Grant consent for criminal contempt in High Courts
d) Conduct investigations
107. Which provision of the Act ensures that fair criticism of judicial acts is not contempt?
a) Section 4
b) Section 5
c) Section 6
d) Section 7
108. In which case did the court uphold that apology must be unconditional to purge contempt?
a) Ashok Kumar v. Radha Swami Satsang Sabha
b) Baradakanta Mishra v. Registrar of Orissa High Court
c) M.C. Mehta v. Union of India
d) S. Mulgaokar v. Unknown
109. Which section of the Act ensures protection for subordinate courts from contempt?
a) Section 9
b) Section 10
c) Section 12
d) Section 14
110. Can truth be used as a defense for contempt?
a) No, it cannot
b) Yes, only if it is in public interest
c) Yes, always
d) Yes, only if permitted by the judge
111. Which section of the Act specifies the procedure for contempt in the face of the court?
a) Section 13
b) Section 14
c) Section 15
d) Section 16
112. What is the key principle laid down in In Re: Arundhati Roy?
a) Freedom of press
b) Limitation for contempt proceedings
c) Judicial restraint
d) Scandalizing the court
113. Who has the power to make rules for contempt proceedings under the Act?
a) High Courts only
b) Supreme Court only
c) Both Supreme Court and High Courts
d) Parliament
114. Which case emphasized the need to balance freedom of speech with contempt jurisdiction?
a) Subramanian Swamy v. Arun Shourie
b) E.M. Sankaran Namboodiripad v. T. Narayanan Nambiar
c) S. Mulgaokar v. Unknown
d) In Re: Arundhati Roy
115. Under which provision can contempt charges be appealed?
a) Section 12
b) Section 15
c) Section 19
d) Section 20
116. Which case clarified that contempt power is an inherent power of the judiciary?
a) Re: Vinay Chandra Mishra
b) Baradakanta Mishra v. Registrar of Orissa High Court
c) S. Mulgaokar v. Unknown
d) C.K. Daphtary v. O.P. Gupta
117. Which section ensures that good faith advice to a litigant is not contempt?
a) Section 3
b) Section 4
c) Section 5
d) Section 6
118. What is the limitation period for initiating contempt proceedings?
a) 3 months
b) 6 months
c) 12 months
d) No limitation
119. Which case addressed the question of whether a judge could be criticized for administrative decisions?
a) S. Mulgaokar v. Unknown
b) E.M. Sankaran Namboodiripad v. T. Narayanan Nambiar
c) C.K. Daphtary v. O.P. Gupta
d) Re: Vinay Chandra Mishra
120. Which of the following acts is considered civil contempt?
a) Disobedience of an injunction
b) Scandalizing the judiciary
c) Obstructing court proceedings
d) Publishing prejudicial material