Limitation for actions for contempt

Q: When did Section 20 of the Contempt of Courts Act come into force?

Section 20 of the Contempt of Courts Act, cited as Contempt Courts Act 1971 20, 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.

In force From 24 Dec 1971 Act 70 of 1971 As on 14 Oct 2026

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

Section 20 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 deals with limitation for actions for contempt. No court shall initiate any proceedings of contempt, either on its own motion or otherwise, after the expiry of a period of one year from the date on which the contempt is alleged to have been committed. The Act came into force on 24 Dec 1971.

No court shall initiate any proceedings of contempt, either on its own motion or otherwise, after the expiry of a period of one year from the date on which the contempt is alleged to have been committed.
Section 20, 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.

Referred to by 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.

Pallav Sheth v. Custodian

Supreme Court of India 10 Aug 2001 Binding (Supreme Court) Reportable (2001) 7 SCC 549

Court's Decision & Legal Precedent

Judgment of Main Case order-2.pdf 2001-08-10 DATE VERIFIED (not same-date ROP). CA 2106/2001. Kirpal J. Contempt of Courts Act s.20 one-year bar does not stultify Art. 215. Proceedings are initiated when the court, applying its mind, issues process; filing of the application is the relevant date. Concealment, fraud or a continuing wrong can postpone the start of the year. Map contempt 20 only.

On this section: s.20 one-year limitation does not stultify Art. 215. Initiation is when the court, applying its mind, issues process; filing of the application is the relevant date. Concealment, fraud or a continuing wrong can postpone the start of the year (Pallav Sheth).

Read the full order on eCourts India
Mahipal Singh Rana vs State of U. P

Supreme Court of India 05 Jul 2016 Binding - This Is A Judgment Of A Three-Judge Bench Of The Supreme Court Of Indi Reportable

Court's Decision & Legal Precedent

An Advocate Convicted Of Criminal Contempt Of Court For Intimidating And Threatening A Judge, Who Refuses To Show Remorse Or Tender Sincere Apology, And Whose Conduct Constitutes A Repeated Pattern Of Disrespect Toward The Judiciary, Can Be Punished Under The Contempt Of Courts Act And Debarred From Appearing In Courts Till Purging Contempt (Demonstrated Through Genuine Remorse And Sincere Apology). Additionally, Conviction For Contempt Involving Moral Turpitude Results In Suspension Of The Advocate's Enrollment Under Section 24A For Two Years, And The Supreme Court Can Exercise Appellate Jurisdiction Under Section 38 Of The Advocates Act To Impose Additional Disciplinary Suspension (License Suspension) For A Further Period When The Bar Council Fails To Take Action After Reference, Provided That The Court Has Given The Advocate Sufficient Opportunity To Purge Contempt.

On this section: Limitation For Contempt Proceedings. The Appellant Contended That The Proceedings Were Barred By This Section (One-Year Limitation). The Court Held That The Limitation Period Commenced When The Civil Judge Made The Reference On June 7, 2003 (Within One Year Of The Alleged Contempt), Making The Proceedings Valid.

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 20

What have the courts held on Section 20 of the Contempt of Courts Act?

Pallav Sheth v. Custodian (10 Aug 2001) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: s.20 one-year limitation does not stultify Art. 215. Initiation is when the court, applying its mind, issues process; filing of the application is the relevant date. Concealment, fraud or a continuing wrong can postpone the start of the year (Pallav Sheth). Another 1 judgment on this section is set out below, all of them from the Supreme Court. They run from 2001 to 2016.

How do I find court cases under Section 20 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 20, section 20 Contempt Courts Act 1971, section 20 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. 2 reported judgments on this section are set out on this page, beginning with Pallav Sheth v. Custodian (10 Aug 2001).

What should I read with Section 20 of the Contempt of Courts Act, and has it changed?

1 other provision in this corpus refers back to it.

When did Section 20 of the Contempt of Courts Act come into force?

Section 20 of the Contempt of Courts Act, cited as Contempt Courts Act 1971 20, 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 14 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.