IN RE : SHRI SHAM LAL versus .

IN RE : SHRI SHAM LAL versus .

The majority held that, while the publication was critical of the Supreme Court's judgment, the facts and circumstances did not warrant formal contempt proceedings against the Editor of the Times of India. Therefore, the show-cause notice was dropped and no contempt proceedings were initiated.

Parties
Applicant: Shri Sham Lal; Alleged Contemner: Editor, Times of India; Respondent: Solicitor General; Intervener
Jurisdiction
India
Judgment Date
18 January 1978
Procedural Posture
Contempt Proceedings / Order on Show Cause Notice
Outcome
Proceedings dropped
Legal Topics
Article 129 of the Constitution, Power to Punish for Contempt, Freedom of the Press and Fair Criticism, Scope of Contempt Jurisdiction

Case Brief

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Parties

Shri Sham Lal

Applicant

Editor, Times of India

Alleged Contemner

Solicitor General

Respondent

Intervener

Procedural Posture

Contempt Proceedings / Order on Show Cause Notice

  1. 1 Whether news item critical of Supreme Court judgment in A.D.M. Jabalpur v. S. Shukla constitutes contempt of court
  2. 2 Whether proceedings for contempt should be initiated against the Editor, Times of India

Ratio Decidendi

The majority held that, while the publication was critical of the Supreme Court's judgment, the facts and circumstances did not warrant formal contempt proceedings against the Editor of the Times of India. Therefore, the show-cause notice was dropped and no contempt proceedings were initiated.

Court Disposition

Proceedings dropped

Orders

  • Notice and proceedings for contempt against the Editor of the Times of India are dropped.