Contempt Petition:
Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud informed the Attorney General that the Jharkhand government has filed a contempt petition against the central government for delaying the appointment of a new Chief Justice to the Jharkhand High Court, as recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium.
- This was stated during a hearing on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a “fixed time limit” for the Centre to notify judicial appointments.
- The Jharkhand government emphasized that delays in appointing a Chief Justice hinder judicial efficiency.
- A contempt petition is a legal action filed in a court when someone disobeys or fails to comply with a court order or judgment.
- It is a way to seek the enforcement of a court’s decision and hold the violating party accountable. There are two types of contempt under the law:
- Civil Contempt: This occurs when a person or entity willfully disobeys a court order or breaches a legal obligation, such as not following the terms of a court judgment.
- Criminal Contempt: This involves actions that obstruct or undermine the authority, dignity, or functioning of the court, such as showing disrespect in court or interfering with judicial proceedings.
- A contempt petition is filed to bring such disobedience or defiance to the court’s attention, and if proven, the court may impose penalties, which could include fines or imprisonment, to ensure compliance.
