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Karnataka High Court begins contempt proceedings over ruckus in Chief Justice's court; takes up suo motu PIL on violence against advocates
खबर में क्यों?
Which Article lets a High Court punish contempt of itself? The Article 215 power behind Karnataka's courtroom row
Karnataka HC starts contempt action and a suo motu PIL on attacks on advocates.
Why it matters: asked in UPSC 2007; factual, Prelims-type
What you need to know
2 मिनट
The Karnataka High Court has initiated contempt proceedings over a ruckus created by a lawyers' group inside the Chief Justice's court hall and has also started a suo motu public interest petition on violence against advocates.
High Courts are courts of record under Article 215 and can punish for their own contempt.
स्रोत: Topper IAS editorial (PIB / The Hindu / Indian Express)
मुख्य तथ्य
Remember these
- Article 215: every High Court is a court of record with power to punish for its own contempt.
- Article 129 gives the Supreme Court the same court of record status and contempt power.
- Karnataka High Court has started contempt proceedings over a ruckus by a lawyers' group in the Chief Justice's court hall.
- The Court has also begun a suo motu PIL on violence against advocates.
- Article 226 (writs) and Article 227 (superintendence over subordinate courts) are separate High Court powers.
प्रीलिम्स · मेन्स
How the exam will ask it
प्रीलिम्स
- Article 215 declares every High Court a court of record with power to punish for contempt of itself.
- The Supreme Court's corresponding power to punish its own contempt flows from Article 129.
- Article 226 empowers High Courts to issue writs, while Article 227 gives them superintendence over all courts and tribunals within their territorial jurisdiction.
- A suo motu PIL is one a court initiates on its own, without a formal petition from an aggrieved party.
मेन्स
GS2 (Judiciary): Disruption inside a courtroom raises the question of how far courts may use contempt powers to protect their dignity and function. Article 215 and the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 give the legal basis, while the suo motu PIL on violence against advocates addresses the Bar's own safety. A balanced way forward combines restrained use of contempt, bar council disciplinary action and security protocols for advocates.
PYQ connection
A question UPSC has already asked on this
Consider the following statements:
- The Judges (Inquiry) Bill 2006 contemplates to establish a Judicial Council which will receive complaints against Judges of the Supreme Court including the Chief Justice of India, High Court Chief Justices and Judges.
- Under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, a women can file a petition before a 1st Class Judicial Magistrate.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
उत्तर देखें
उत्तर: C
Why this matters: today's issue is directly connected to a concept UPSC has already tested. Read the story with this question in mind.
Practise this PYQ →Quick recall
Answer before you reveal
The power of a High Court to punish for its own contempt flows from which constitutional provision?
- Article 129
- Article 226
- Article 227
- Article 215
उत्तर देखें
उत्तर: D — Correct: Article 215 — Article 215 makes every High Court a court of record with power to punish for its contempt. • Article 129 — wrong: Article 129 declares the Supreme Court a court of record with power to punish its own contempt. • Article 226 — wrong: Article 226 gives High Courts the power to issue writs. • Article 227 — wrong: Article 227 gives High Courts superintendence over subordinate courts and tribunals.
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