IN THE MATTER OF: RUSTOM CAWASJEE COOPER versus UNION OF INDIA

IN THE MATTER OF: RUSTOM CAWASJEE COOPER versus UNION OF INDIA

Criticism which attributes improper motives to courts, brings judges or courts into hatred and contempt, or obstructs the functioning of courts constitutes contempt; however, in the present case, the material before the Court does not substantiate contempt, so no further action is warranted.

Parties
Applicant: Rustom Cawasjee Cooper; Respondent: Union of India
Jurisdiction
India
Judgment Date
05 May 1970
Procedural Posture
Writ Petition / Original Jurisdiction; Final Order
Outcome
Case closed; no contempt found.
Legal Topics
Contempt—criticism of Supreme Court Judgment, Limits of Criticism, Judicial Independence
Constitutional Law Contempt of Court Contempt—criticism of Supreme Court Judgment Limits of Criticism Judicial Independence

Case Brief

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Parties

Rustom Cawasjee Cooper

Applicant

Union of India

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Writ Petition / Original Jurisdiction; Final Order

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether public criticism by a Minister, based on newspaper reports of the Supreme Court judgment, constitutes contempt of court

Ratio Decidendi

Criticism which attributes improper motives to courts, brings judges or courts into hatred and contempt, or obstructs the functioning of courts constitutes contempt; however, in the present case, the material before the Court does not substantiate contempt, so no further action is warranted.

Court Disposition

Case closed; no contempt found.

Orders

  • Papers ordered to be filed; no action taken on the petition.