UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 13
Consider the following statements :
- Pursuant to the report of H.N. Sanyal Committee, the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 was passed.
- The Constitution of India empowers the Supreme Court and the High Courts to punish for contempt of themselves.
- The Constitution of India defines Civil Contempt and Criminal Contempt.
- In India, the Parliament is vested with the powers to make laws on Contempt of Court.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Correct Option: B (1, 2 and 4)
Explanation: The 1971 contempt legislation followed the H. N. Sanyal review; Articles 129 and 215 recognise contempt powers and Parliament may legislate on contempt.
Statement / Pair / Item-wise Analysis:
1. True / qualifies - The H. N. Sanyal Committee review informed the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.
2. True / qualifies - Articles 129 and 215 make the Supreme Court and High Courts courts of record with contempt powers.
3. False / does not qualify - Civil and criminal contempt are defined by the Contempt of Courts Act, not by constitutional text.
4. True / qualifies - Parliament has legislative competence to regulate contempt law, subject to constitutional limits.
Option-wise Analysis:
A. Incorrect-omits 4 even though Parliament has legislative competence to regulate contempt law, subject to constitutional limits.
B. Correct-selects exactly the correct statements/items identified above.
C. Incorrect-includes 3 even though Civil and criminal contempt are defined by the Contempt of Courts Act, not by constitutional text.; omits 1 even though The H. N. Sanyal Committee review informed the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.; omits 2 even though Articles 129 and 215 make the Supreme Court and High Courts courts of record with contempt powers.
D. Incorrect-includes 3 even though Civil and criminal contempt are defined by the Contempt of Courts Act, not by constitutional text.; omits 1 even though The H. N. Sanyal Committee review informed the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.; omits 2 even though Articles 129 and 215 make the Supreme Court and High Courts courts of record with contempt powers.; omits 4 even though Parliament has legislative competence to regulate contempt law, subject to constitutional limits.