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Section18
The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971

Hearing of cases of criminal contempt to be by Benches

In force From 24 Dec 1971 Act 70 of 1971 As on 16 Oct 2026

Act 70 of 1971 Ministry Law and Justice Enacted 24 Dec 1971 In force 24 Dec 1971 Cited by 1 provision

Section 18 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 deals with hearing of cases of criminal contempt to be by Benches. Every case of criminal contempt under section 15 shall be heard and determined by a Bench of not less than two judges. The Act came into force on 24 Dec 1971.

(1) Every case of criminal contempt under section 15 shall be heard and determined by a Bench of not less than two judges.

(2) Sub-section (1) shall not apply to the Court of a Judicial Commissioner.

Section 18, The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 (Act 70 of 1971).

Cross-references

Extracted from the operative text of the enactments themselves. Every destination below exists in our corpus.

This section refers to

  1. s. 15 Cognizance of criminal contempt in other cases

Referred to by 1

  1. Armed Forces Tribunal Act s. 19 Power to punish for contempt

Related judgements & precedents

These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.

  1. J.K. Gupta v. D.G. Investigation & Registration & Anr.

    Supreme Court of India 04 Nov 2004 Binding (Supreme Court) Criminal Appeal No.664/1997; Judgment 04.11.2004; B.N. Agrawal & H.K. Sema JJ.

    Court's Decision & Legal Precedent

    DATE-VERIFIED Judgement 2004-11-04 (order-1.pdf) — get_order_ai_analysis DATE VERIFIED index/body agree. SC: s.18 uses clear language that every criminal contempt under s.15 shall be heard and determined by a Bench of not less than two Judges. MRTP Act s.13B imports Contempt Act procedure into Commission contempt jurisdiction, so the Chairman alone cannot convict for criminal contempt. Single-member determination set aside; matter remanded for fresh hearing before a proper Bench.

    On this section: s.18 — criminal-contempt adjudication under s.15 requires a Bench of at least two; the safeguard applies equally when a tribunal exercises Contempt Act jurisdiction by incorporation.

    Read the full order on eCourts India

The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.

Questions about Section 18

What have the courts held on Section 18 of the Contempt of Courts Act?

J.K. Gupta v. D.G. Investigation & Registration & Anr. (04 Nov 2004) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: s.18 — criminal-contempt adjudication under s.15 requires a Bench of at least two; the safeguard applies equally when a tribunal exercises Contempt Act jurisdiction by incorporation.

How do I find court cases under Section 18 of the Contempt of Courts Act?

In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Contempt Courts Act 1971 18, section 18 Contempt Courts Act 1971, section 18 of the Contempt of Courts Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 1 reported judgment on this section is set out on this page, beginning with J.K. Gupta v. D.G. Investigation & Registration & Anr. (04 Nov 2004).

What should I read with Section 18 of the Contempt of Courts Act, and has it changed?

Its own text turns on section 15 (Cognizance of criminal contempt in other cases), so none of them can safely be read on its own. 1 other provision in this corpus refers back to it.

When did Section 18 of the Contempt of Courts Act come into force?

Section 18 of the Contempt of Courts Act, cited as Contempt Courts Act 1971 18, came into force on 24 Dec 1971, having been enacted on 24 Dec 1971. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.

Other sections of this Act

Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 16 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.