New Delhi: The Supreme Court today observed that the court’s power of contempt can’t be taken away even by a legislative enactment/ It held the chairperson of an NGO guilty of contempt for not depositing Rs 25 lakh for ‘scandalising and browbeating’ the court.
A bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and M.M. Sundresh said, ‘We are of the view that the contemnor is clearly guilty of contempt of court and his action to scandalise the court cannot be countenanced.’
It said the chairperson of NGO, Suraz India Trust, Rajiv Daiya has been throwing mud’ at all and sundry including the court, administrative staff and the State government.
The top court said, ‘The power to punish for contempt is a constitutional power vested with this court which cannot be taken away even by a legislative enactment.’