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Section7
The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971

Publication of information relating to proceedings in chambers or in camera not contempt except in certain cases

In force From 24 Dec 1971 Act 70 of 1971 As on 15 Oct 2026

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

Section 7 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 deals with publication of information relating to proceedings in chambers or in camera not contempt except in certain cases. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, a person shall not be guilty of contempt of court for publishing a fair and accurate report of a judicial proceeding before any court sitting in chambers or in camera except in the following cases, that is to say,— (a) where the publication is contrary The Act came into force on 24 Dec 1971.

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, a person shall not be guilty of contempt of court for publishing a fair and accurate report of a judicial proceeding before any court sitting in chambers or in camera except in the following cases, that is to say,—

(a) where the publication is contrary to the provisions of any enactment for the time being in force;

(b) where the court, on grounds of public policy or in exercise of any power vested in it, expressly prohibits the publication of all information relating to the proceeding or of information of the description which is published;

(c) where the court sits in chambers or in camera for reasons connected with public order or the security of the State, the publication of information relating to those proceedings;

(d) where the information relates to a secret process, discovery or invention which is an issue in proceedings.

(2) Without prejudice to the provisions contained in sub-section (1), a person shall not be guilty of contempt of court for publishing the text or a fair and accurate summary of the whole, or any part, of an order made by a court sitting in chambers or in camera, unless the court has expressly prohibited the publication thereof on grounds of public policy, or for reasons connected with public order or the security of the State, or on the ground that it contains information relating to a secret process, discovery or invention, or in exercise of any power vested in it.

Section 7, 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

  1. s. 4 Fair and accurate report of judicial proceeding not contempt

Questions about Section 7

What does Section 7 of the Contempt of Courts Act deal with?

Section 7 of the Contempt of Courts Act is headed "Publication of information relating to proceedings in chambers or in camera not contempt except in certain cases". Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, a person shall not be guilty of contempt of court for publishing a fair and accurate report of a judicial proceeding before any court sitting in chambers or in camera except in the following cases, that is to say,— (a) where the publication is contrary

How do I find court cases under Section 7 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 7, section 7 Contempt Courts Act 1971, section 7 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 7 of the Contempt of Courts Act, and has it changed?

1 other provision in this corpus refers back to it.

When did Section 7 of the Contempt of Courts Act come into force?

Section 7 of the Contempt of Courts Act, cited as Contempt Courts Act 1971 7, 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 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.