Criminal Law - The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 - Section 5 - Fair criticism of judicial act not contempt

The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971
Section 1-24

Section 1

Short title and extent

Section 2

Definitions

Section 3

Innocent publication and distribution of matter not contempt

Section 4

Fair and accurate report of judicial proceeding not contempt

Section 5

Fair criticism of judicial act not contempt

Section 6

Complaint against presiding officers of subordinate courts when not contempt

Section 7

Publication of information relating to proceeding in chambers or in camera not contempt except in certain cases

Section 8

Other defences not affected

Section 9

Act not to imply enlargement of scope of contempt

Section 10

Power of High Court to punish contempt's of subordinate courts

Section 11

Power of High Court to try offences committed or offenders found Outside jurisdiction

Section 12

Punishment for contempt of court

Section 13

Contempt's not punishable in certain cases

Section 14

Procedure where contempt is in the face of the Supreme Court or a High Court

Section 15

Cognizance of criminal contempt in other cases

Section 16

Contempt by judge, magistrate or other person acting judicially

Section 17

Procedure after cognizance

Section 18

Hearing of cases of criminal contempt to be by Benches.

Section 19

Appeals

Section 20

Limitation for actions for contempt

Section 21

Act not to apply to Nyaya panchyats or other village courts

Section 22

Act to be in addition to and not in derogation of other laws relating to contempt

Section 23

Power of Supreme Court and High Courts to make rules

Section 24

Repeal

Section 5- Fair criticism of judicial act not contempt

A person shall not be guilty of contempt of court for publishing any fair comment on the merits of any case which has been heard and finally decided.

The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971

Section(s)

1 - 24

Judgement(s) Found in :
The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971
Section 5