The central government in its statement of objection said that the offence under section 2(c) (I) of the Contempt of Court Act, 1971 that deals with criminal contempt that scandalizes the authority of the court do not restrict the freedom of speech. Further, the Hon’ble court also presented that such restriction reasonable restriction on free speech.
Section2(c) (I) of the contempt of court act, 1971 states that if there is any publication or any act that scandalizes the authority of the court will amount to criminal contempt of the Hon’ble court.
The statement of objection is a reactionary action in response to a writ petition that approached the court. The journalists Krishna Prasad and N. Ram along with former Union Minister Arun Shourie and advocate Prashant Bhushan challenged the constitutional validity of the offense of criminal contempt of the court on the ground of scandalizing its authority. Their petition also states that reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2) need not be followed as the watertight compartment and they go on saying that these restrictions can be liberalized under suitable circumstances.
The statement by the central government further states that whenever there is any such act that tends to lower down the authority of the Hon’ble court and hence intruding in the process of justice giving, the Hon’ble court should have the power to punish any such action under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.
