Section - 14. Procedure where contempt is in the face of the Supreme Court or a High Court

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(1) When it is alleged, or appears to the Supreme Court or the High Court upon its own view, that a person has been guilty of contempt committed in its presence or hearing, the Court may cause such person to be detained in custody, and, at any time before the rising of the Court, on the same day, or as early as possible
thereafter, shall-
(a) cause him to be informed in writing of the contempt with which he is charged;
(b) afford him an opportunity to make his defence to the charge;
(c) after taking such evidence as may be necessary or as may be offered by such person and after
hearing him, proceed, either forthwith or after adjournment, to determine the matter of the charge; and
(d) make such order for the punishment or discharge of such person as may be just.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where a person charged with contempt
under that sub-section applies, whether orally or in writing, to have the charge against him tried by some
judge other than the Judge or Judges in whose presence or hearing the offence is alleged to have been
committed, and the Court is of opinion that it is practicable to do so and that in the interests of proper
administration of justice the application should be allowed, it shall cause the matter to be placed,
together with a statement of the facts of the case, before the Chief Justice for such directions as he may
think fit to issue as respects the trial thereof.
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law, in any trial of a person charged with
contempt under sub-section (1) which is held, in pursuance of a direction given under sub-section (2), by
a Judge other than the Judge or Judges in whose presence or hearing the offence is alleged to have been
committed, it shall not be necessary for the Judge or Judges in whose presence or hearing the offence is
alleged to have been committed to appear as a witness and the statement placed before the Chief Justice
under sub-section (2) shall be treated as evidence in the case.
(4) Pending the determination of the charge, the Court may direct that a person charged with
contempt under this section shall be detained in such custody as it may specify:
Provided that he shall be released on bail, if a bond for such sum of money as the Court thinks
sufficient is executed with or without sureties conditioned that the person charged shall attend at the time
and place mentioned in the bond and shall continue to so attend until otherwise directed by the Court:

Provided further that the Court may, if it thinks fit, instead of taking bail from such person, discharge
him on his executing a bond without sureties for his attendance as aforesaid.

1. Subs. by Act 6 of 2006, s. 2, for section 13 (w.e.f. 17-3-2006).

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