Reviewed case brief
Pritam Pal v. High Court of Madhya Pradesh
(1993) Supp 1 SCC 529
Authority on the distinction between fair criticism and contempt of court in the context of offences affecting administration of justice.
- Court
- Supreme Court of India
- Year
- 1993
- Subjects
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita
- Reviewed
- 2026-06-30
Rule established
Contempt of court must be distinguished from fair criticism. Contempt jurisdiction exists to protect administration of justice, not the personal dignity of judges. Scandalizing the court as a whole by imputing motives or bias undermines public confidence and constitutes criminal contempt.
Facts
Issues
Held
Ratio decidendi
How to use it in an exam
Editorial source
SCC
Educational summary only. Read the reported judgment or an authorised law report before relying on the case professionally.