UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC notice to journalist, Sena (UBT) leader for remarks against CJI

Q1. With reference to the classification of contempt under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. An official who fails to carry out a court's order because of a bona fide misreading of that order necessarily commits civil contempt.
  2. A publication that tends to prejudice a pending trial falls under criminal contempt, not civil contempt.
  3. An act that interferes with the administration of justice can be criminal contempt even though no order of the court has been disobeyed.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 2 and 3 only

Q2. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Public remarks alleged to lower the authority of the Chief Justice of India are proceeded against as criminal contempt rather than civil contempt.
  2. Under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, criminal contempt is confined to acts committed within the precincts of a court while it is hearing a case.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q3. With reference to the constitutional basis of the power to punish for contempt in India, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Because Article 215 empowers a High Court to punish for contempt 'of itself', a High Court cannot use that provision to punish contempt of the Supreme Court.
  2. The Constituent Assembly chose to state the Supreme Court's contempt power expressly instead of leaving it to be implied from the court's status as a court of record.
  3. The Supreme Court's contempt power is conferred by the Constitution, whereas the High Courts' contempt power rests solely on the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 2 and 3 only

Q4. With reference to taking cognisance of contempt by the Supreme Court under Section 15 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A criminal contempt motion moved before the Supreme Court by the Solicitor-General does not additionally require the Attorney-General's written consent.
  2. The written consent of the law officer is also a precondition when an aggrieved litigant complains that a court order in his favour has been wilfully disobeyed.
  3. Once the law officer grants consent, the Court is bound to hold the respondent guilty of contempt.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 2 and 3 only

Q5. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. A statutory provision punishing publications that scandalise a court can be sustained against a challenge under Article 19(1)(a).
  2. Article 19(2) names contempt of court among the grounds on which the State may impose reasonable restrictions on the freedom of speech and expression.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q6. With reference to 'contempt of court' as a ground of restriction in Article 19(2) of the Constitution of India, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The ground was adopted by the Constituent Assembly itself and was not added later by a constitutional amendment.
  2. Article 19(2) protects an existing law relating to contempt of court as well as a law made after the Constitution came into force.
  3. A restriction imposed on this ground must be reasonable, so its reasonableness can be tested by the courts.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1 and 3 only

Q7. With reference to the immunity under Article 105 of the Constitution of India, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. A Rajya Sabha member cannot be proceeded against in any court for a speech made in a committee of the House.
  2. Remarks made by a Rajya Sabha member at a press conference outside Parliament are immune from court proceedings because the privilege attaches to the member's office.
  3. The immunity for speech in a House also extends to the Attorney-General when he speaks in that House.
  4. No court proceedings lie against any person for publishing a report or proceedings of a House under the authority of that House.
  • A. 1, 2, 3 and 4
  • B. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1 and 2 only