Segment 10: MCQs (161–180)
161. What is the jurisdiction of the High Court under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971?
a) Only over subordinate courts
b) Both over itself and subordinate courts
c) Only over civil courts
d) Over all courts in the state
162. Which section of the Contempt of Courts Act deals with appeals?
a) Section 18
b) Section 19
c) Section 20
d) Section 22
163. Under which case did the Supreme Court emphasize that the power of contempt should be exercised sparingly?
a) S. Mulgaokar v. Unknown
b) Re: Vinay Chandra Mishra
c) Arundhati Roy Contempt Case
d) Delhi Judicial Service Association v. State of Gujarat
164. Who is authorized to consent for initiating criminal contempt in the Supreme Court?
a) Solicitor General
b) Attorney General
c) Chief Justice of India
d) President of India
165. What does Section 5 of the Act protect?
a) Fair criticism of judicial acts
b) Statements made by journalists
c) Comments on pending cases made in good faith
d) Public protests
166. Which case dealt with the principle that truth can be used as a defense in contempt proceedings?
a) C.K. Daphtary v. O.P. Gupta
b) Subramanian Swamy v. Arun Shourie
c) Re: Arundhati Roy
d) Sahara India Real Estate v. SEBI
167. What is required for contempt proceedings against a subordinate court?
a) Permission of the High Court
b) Approval of the District Judge
c) Complaint by an advocate
d) Consent of the Supreme Court
168. In which case did the Supreme Court assert the need for balancing free speech and contempt?
a) E.M.S. Namboodiripad v. T.N. Nambiar
b) Re: Arundhati Roy
c) Baradakanta Mishra v. Registrar of Orissa High Court
d) Vinay Chandra Mishra Case
169. What is the primary objective of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971?
a) Protect judicial dignity and integrity
b) Restrict freedom of speech
c) Grant absolute powers to judges
d) Control media reporting
170. Under which section can subordinate courts refer contempt matters to the High Court?
a) Section 14
b) Section 15
c) Section 18
d) Section 10
171. What is the punishment for criminal contempt under the Act?
a) Fine of ₹5,000
b) Imprisonment up to 6 months or fine of ₹2,000
c) Only imprisonment
d) Warning or censure
172. Which case clarified that judicial proceedings must be respected to avoid contempt?
a) Re: Arundhati Roy
b) Sahara India Real Estate v. SEBI
c) Delhi Judicial Service Association v. State of Gujarat
d) E.M.S. Namboodiripad v. T.N. Nambiar
173. What does Section 7 of the Act deal with?
a) Protection of fair reporting
b) Acts not amounting to contempt
c) Evidence in contempt proceedings
d) Contempt by public servants
174. Which section discusses summary procedure for contempt committed in court?
a) Section 14
b) Section 12
c) Section 10
d) Section 19
175. Who can file a motion for contempt in the High Court under Section 15?
a) Advocate General
b) Any individual with prior consent
c) Subordinate court
d) All of the above
176. What does “civil contempt” primarily deal with?
a) Willful disobedience of court orders
b) Scandalizing the court
c) Obstructing justice
d) Misleading statements
177. Which Article of the Constitution grants High Courts the power to punish for contempt?
a) Article 215
b) Article 129
c) Article 136
d) Article 141
178. Which section provides protection for reports of judicial proceedings?
a) Section 5
b) Section 3
c) Section 7
d) Section 4
179. What kind of contempt involves acts that lower the authority of the court?
a) Civil contempt
b) Criminal contempt
c) Administrative contempt
d) Indirect contempt
180. What is the time limit to initiate contempt proceedings?
a) 6 months
b) 1 year
c) 18 months
d) 2 years