The Bombay High Court held that powers of contempt of court should be used not to protect the dignity of the court against insult or injury, but to protect and vindicate the right of people so that administration of justice is not hampered.
A Bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta observed that the power of contempt of court is not to protect the dignity of the court against insult, but, to protect and vindicate the rights of the people.
The contempt petition was filed by Kashinath Shetye, a Goa resident, Shetye sought action against David Cleaver, a British citizen under Section 2( c) of the Contempt of Courts Act, for making allegations against the lower judiciary in Goa.
The court disposed of the contempt petition remarking “such content is best treated with contempt, rather than in contempt.”
Kashinath Shetye v. David Clever & Ors.
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