UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC declines relief to judicial officer over ‘outburst’ in HC

Q1. In the statutory definition of 'criminal contempt' in the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, which one of the following is the first-listed limb?

  • A. Prejudicing, or interfering with, the due course of any judicial proceeding
  • B. Obstructing the administration of justice in any other manner whatsoever
  • C. Wilful disobedience of any judgment, decree, direction, order or writ of a court
  • D. Scandalising, or lowering the authority of, any court

Q2. Consider the following statements regarding contempt committed in the face of the Supreme Court or a High Court under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971: 1. The court may cause the alleged contemnor to be detained in custody. 2. The person charged must be informed in writing of the contempt alleged against him. 3. Such contempt must be tried by a magistrate on a complaint made by the presiding officer of the court concerned. 4. Proceedings cannot be initiated after the expiry of one year from the date on which the contempt is alleged to have been committed. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The court may cause the alleged contemnor to be detained in custody.
  2. The person charged must be informed in writing of the contempt alleged against him.
  3. Such contempt must be tried by a magistrate on a complaint made by the presiding officer of the court concerned.
  4. Proceedings cannot be initiated after the expiry of one year from the date on which the contempt is alleged to have been committed.
  • A. 1, 2 and 4
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3
  • D. 3 and 4

Q3. The expression 'contempt ex facie curiae', invoked by the Bombay High Court in the September 2026 proceedings against a Maharashtra law department officer, denotes which one of the following?

  • A. A publication scandalising a court, of which cognizance is taken by the court on a motion made by the Advocate-General of the State
  • B. Misconduct by a litigant who chooses to argue his own case in person rather than be represented by counsel before the court
  • C. An act of contempt committed in the presence or hearing of the court, which the court may determine on its own knowledge of the incident
  • D. Wilful disobedience of an order that was pronounced in open court in the presence of the parties and their counsel

Q4. Special leave to appeal, as provided for by Article 136 of the Constitution of India, is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. An appeal lying to the Supreme Court where the High Court certifies that the case involves a substantial question of law as to the interpretation of the Constitution
  • B. A discretionary power of the Supreme Court to permit an appeal from an order of any court or tribunal, other than those relating to the Armed Forces
  • C. A power of the Supreme Court to withdraw to itself cases pending before High Courts that involve the same substantial questions of law of general importance
  • D. A power of the Supreme Court to reconsider, subject to law and to rules made by it, any judgment pronounced or order made by it earlier

Q5. Consider the following statements about the Supreme Court's jurisdiction under Article 136 of the Constitution: 1. It extends to orders of tribunals as well as of courts in the territory of India. 2. It does not extend to any sentence or order passed by a tribunal constituted under a law relating to the Armed Forces. 3. It is available to a party as of right once the High Court certifies the case as a fit one for appeal to the Supreme Court. 4. An appeal against a final order of the Armed Forces Tribunal lies to the Supreme Court where a point of law of general public importance is involved. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It extends to orders of tribunals as well as of courts in the territory of India.
  2. It does not extend to any sentence or order passed by a tribunal constituted under a law relating to the Armed Forces.
  3. It is available to a party as of right once the High Court certifies the case as a fit one for appeal to the Supreme Court.
  4. An appeal against a final order of the Armed Forces Tribunal lies to the Supreme Court where a point of law of general public importance is involved.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q6. Consider the following statements regarding the contempt proceedings initiated by the Bombay High Court in September 2026 against a senior Maharashtra government officer: 1. The proceedings were initiated by a Bench of Justices A.S. Gadkari and Kamal Khata. 2. The contempt alleged was civil contempt arising from wilful breach of an undertaking earlier given to the court. 3. The officer concerned held the post of Secretary and Senior Legal Adviser in the State Department of Law and Judiciary. 4. The Supreme Court Bench that heard his petition comprised Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The proceedings were initiated by a Bench of Justices A.S. Gadkari and Kamal Khata.
  2. The contempt alleged was civil contempt arising from wilful breach of an undertaking earlier given to the court.
  3. The officer concerned held the post of Secretary and Senior Legal Adviser in the State Department of Law and Judiciary.
  4. The Supreme Court Bench that heard his petition comprised Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta.
  • A. 1, 3 and 4
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q7. With reference to the September 2026 Bombay High Court contempt matter that reached the Supreme Court, consider the following statements: 1. The immediate trigger was the High Court's examination of an affidavit on vacancies in 179 posts created for fast-track courts. 2. The High Court described the officer's courtroom conduct as 'outrageous' and 'wholly unpardonable'. 3. The Supreme Court stayed the contempt proceedings while permitting the High Court to continue recording evidence. 4. The officer was subsequently given a posting in a Naxalite-affected region. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The immediate trigger was the High Court's examination of an affidavit on vacancies in 179 posts created for fast-track courts.
  2. The High Court described the officer's courtroom conduct as 'outrageous' and 'wholly unpardonable'.
  3. The Supreme Court stayed the contempt proceedings while permitting the High Court to continue recording evidence.
  4. The officer was subsequently given a posting in a Naxalite-affected region.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 3 and 4
  • D. 3 only

Q8. Contempt of a court subordinate to a High Court is punishable primarily by which one of the following?

  • A. The subordinate court itself, since every court in India is a court of record for all purposes
  • B. The Court of Session of the district, on a complaint made by the presiding officer of that court
  • C. The High Court to which that court is subordinate, in the same manner as contempt of itself
  • D. The Supreme Court alone, since Article 129 makes it the sole court of record for contempt

Q9. The power of every High Court to punish for contempt of itself is expressly declared by which one of the following Articles of the Constitution of India?

  • A. Article 129
  • B. Article 215
  • C. Article 227
  • D. Article 235

Q10. The Act under which contempt of court is punishable with simple imprisonment extending to six months, or fine extending to two thousand rupees, or both, is administered by which one of the following?

  • A. The Department of Justice in the Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India
  • B. The Department of Legal Affairs in the Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India
  • C. The Legislative Department in the Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India
  • D. The Department of Internal Security in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India

Q11. Consider the following statements about the Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) Scheme: 1. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme being implemented since October 2019 for expeditious trial of cases of rape and offences under the POCSO Act. 2. The Central share of its outlay is met from the Nirbhaya Fund. 3. It is implemented by the Department of Justice in coordination with State Governments and High Courts. 4. Being a scheme for the judiciary, it is funded entirely by the Union Government, with no matching contribution required from the States. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme being implemented since October 2019 for expeditious trial of cases of rape and offences under the POCSO Act.
  2. The Central share of its outlay is met from the Nirbhaya Fund.
  3. It is implemented by the Department of Justice in coordination with State Governments and High Courts.
  4. Being a scheme for the judiciary, it is funded entirely by the Union Government, with no matching contribution required from the States.
  • A. 4 only
  • B. 1 and 2
  • C. 2 and 3
  • D. 1, 3 and 4