Fair and accurate report of judicial proceeding not contempt
Section 4 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 deals with fair and accurate report of judicial proceeding not contempt. Subject to the provisions contained in section 7, a person shall not be guilty of contempt of court for publishing a fair and accurate report of a judicial proceeding or any stage thereof. The Act came into force on 24 Dec 1971.
Subject to the provisions contained in section 7, a person shall not be guilty of contempt of court for publishing a fair and accurate report of a judicial proceeding or any stage thereof.
Section 4, 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.
Questions about Section 4
What does Section 4 of the Contempt of Courts Act deal with?
Section 4 of the Contempt of Courts Act is headed "Fair and accurate report of judicial proceeding not contempt". Subject to the provisions contained in section 7, a person shall not be guilty of contempt of court for publishing a fair and accurate report of a judicial proceeding or any stage thereof.
How do I find court cases under Section 4 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 4, section 4 Contempt Courts Act 1971, section 4 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.
What should I read with Section 4 of the Contempt of Courts Act, and has it changed?
Its own text turns on section 7 (Publication of information relating to proceedings in chambers or in camera not contempt except in certain cases), so none of them can safely be read on its own.
When did Section 4 of the Contempt of Courts Act come into force?
Section 4 of the Contempt of Courts Act, cited as Contempt Courts Act 1971 4, 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
- 3. Innocent publication and distribution of matter not contempt482 words
- 14. Procedure where contempt is in the face of the Supreme Court or a High Court477 words
- 12. Punishment for contempt of court465 words
- 17. Procedure after cognizance278 words
- 15. Cognizance of criminal contempt in other cases257 words
- 7. Publication of information relating to proceedings in chambers or in camera not contempt except in certain cases251 words
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 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.