UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC orders shifting of contempt pleas on ‘bulldozer justice’ to High Courts

Q1. The Supreme Court's November 2024 'bulldozer justice' judgment laid down binding pan-India guidelines against punitive demolitions. The Court drew its power to issue such enforceable directions from which constitutional provision?

  • A. Article 141
  • B. Article 142
  • C. Article 144
  • D. Article 32

Q2. Under the Supreme Court's November 2024 demolition guidelines, what is the minimum prior show-cause notice period that an authority must give to the occupant before a demolition, irrespective of any shorter period allowed under local municipal law?

  • A. 7 days
  • B. 15 days
  • C. 21 days
  • D. 30 days

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding the Supreme Court's 16 July 2026 order on 'bulldozer justice' contempt petitions: 1. The Bench was headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. 2. The petitions were transferred to the respective State High Courts. 3. The High Courts were asked to decide the matters preferably within four months. 4. The Supreme Court vacated the interim protection it had earlier granted to the affected parties. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The Bench was headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.
  2. The petitions were transferred to the respective State High Courts.
  3. The High Courts were asked to decide the matters preferably within four months.
  4. The Supreme Court vacated the interim protection it had earlier granted to the affected parties.
  • A. 1 and 4
  • B. 4 only
  • C. 3 and 4
  • D. 2 only

Q4. With respect to the mechanism the Supreme Court prescribed in its July 2026 order for the High Courts hearing the transferred contempt matters, consider the following: 1. The High Courts may call for the relevant records. 2. The High Courts may, if necessary, obtain evidence through the district courts. 3. The interim protection granted by the Supreme Court continues during the pendency before the High Courts. 4. The petitions were transferred to the National Green Tribunal for factual inquiry. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The High Courts may call for the relevant records.
  2. The High Courts may, if necessary, obtain evidence through the district courts.
  3. The interim protection granted by the Supreme Court continues during the pendency before the High Courts.
  4. The petitions were transferred to the National Green Tribunal for factual inquiry.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q5. Contempt of the Supreme Court, when it arises, is punishable by which authority acting as a court of record?

  • A. The Supreme Court itself, under Article 129
  • B. Parliament, under its power to punish for breach of privilege
  • C. The President, on the advice of the Attorney General
  • D. Only the High Court of the State where the contempt occurred

Q6. Consider the following statements about the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971: 1. Civil contempt means wilful disobedience of a judgment, order, direction or undertaking of a court. 2. Criminal contempt includes acts that scandalise the court or obstruct the administration of justice. 3. The maximum term of simple imprisonment for contempt is six months. 4. The maximum fine that may be imposed for contempt is ₹20,000. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Civil contempt means wilful disobedience of a judgment, order, direction or undertaking of a court.
  2. Criminal contempt includes acts that scandalise the court or obstruct the administration of justice.
  3. The maximum term of simple imprisonment for contempt is six months.
  4. The maximum fine that may be imposed for contempt is ₹20,000.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 3 and 4

Q7. The power of superintendence over all courts and tribunals throughout the territories in relation to which a High Court exercises jurisdiction — a power that may even be invoked suo motu — is vested in which authority?

  • A. The High Court, under Article 227
  • B. The Supreme Court, under Article 32
  • C. The State Government, through the Law Department
  • D. The Principal District Judge of the district

Q8. A High Court's power to issue a writ such as certiorari to correct a jurisdictional error committed by a subordinate court — an exercise of its original jurisdiction available only on a party's petition — is conferred by which Article?

  • A. Article 226
  • B. Article 227
  • C. Article 32
  • D. Article 139A

Q9. In which case did the Supreme Court hold that the right to livelihood and shelter of pavement dwellers is an integral facet of the right to life under Article 21, requiring due process before eviction?

  • A. Olga Tellis v. Bombay Municipal Corporation (1985)
  • B. Olga Tellis v. Bombay Municipal Corporation (1978)
  • C. Chameli Singh v. State of U.P. (2001)
  • D. Francis Coralie Mullin v. Union Territory of Delhi (1996)

Q10. After Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India, the expression 'procedure established by law' in Article 21 has been interpreted to mean that any procedure depriving a person of life or personal liberty must be —

  • A. just, fair and reasonable, and not arbitrary or oppressive
  • B. merely enacted by a competent legislature, whatever its content
  • C. approved in advance by the executive of the concerned State
  • D. expressly ratified by a resolution of both Houses of Parliament

Q11. Which single landmark decision is regarded as the foremost authority for holding that the separation of powers forms part of the 'basic structure' of the Constitution, a principle the Court invoked while condemning executive-ordered demolitions?

  • A. Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973)
  • B. I.C. Golaknath v. State of Punjab (1967)
  • C. Minerva Mills v. Union of India (1980)
  • D. Indira Nehru Gandhi v. Raj Narain (1975)

Q12. Consider the following statements about Justice Surya Kant, who headed the Bench in the July 2026 'bulldozer' contempt order: 1. He is the 53rd Chief Justice of India. 2. He took oath as CJI in November 2025. 3. He succeeded Justice B.R. Gavai as Chief Justice of India. 4. He headed the two-judge Bench that delivered the original November 2024 'bulldozer justice' guidelines. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. He is the 53rd Chief Justice of India.
  2. He took oath as CJI in November 2025.
  3. He succeeded Justice B.R. Gavai as Chief Justice of India.
  4. He headed the two-judge Bench that delivered the original November 2024 'bulldozer justice' guidelines.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 2 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4