Contempt of Courts Act, 1971

[Act No. 70 of Year 1971 dtd. 24th. December, 1971]

Contents
Sections	Particulars
1	Short title and extent
2	Definitions
3	Innocent publication and distribution of matter not contempt
4	Fair and accurate report of judicial proceeding not contempt
5	Fair criticism of judicial act not contempt
6	Complaint against presiding officers of subordinate courts when not contempt
7	Publication of information relating to proceeding in chambers or in camera not contempt except in certain cases
8	Other defenses not affected
9	Act not to imply enlargement of scope of contempt
10	Power of High Court to punish contempt of subordinate courts
11	Power of High Court to try offences committed or offenders found outside jurisdiction
12	Punishment for contempt of court
13	Contempt not punishable in certain cases
14	Procedure where contempt is in the face of the Supreme Court or a High Court
15	Cognizance of criminal contempt in other cases
16	Contempt by judge, magistrate or other person acting judicially
17	Procedure after cognizance
18	Hearing of cases of criminal contempt to be by Benches
19	Appeals
20	Limitation for actions for contempt
21	Act not to apply to Nyaya Panchayats or other village courts
22	Act to be in addition to, and not in derogation of, other laws relating to contempt
23	Power of Supreme Court and High Courts to make rules
24	Repeal
	Rules To Regulate Proceedings For Contempt Of Supreme Court, 1975

An Act to define and limit the powers of certain courts in punishing contempt of courts and to regulate their procedure in relation thereto

Be it enacted by Parliament in the Twenty-second Year of the Republic of India as follows:-