Maintainability of Intra-Court Appeals in Contempt Matters and the Larger Bench Reference on Article 226 Jurisdiction

sketch of the Supreme Court of India
Case
SANJAY PRASAD v. MADHUSUDAN DWIVEDI (Supreme Court of India, 14-10-2026)
Law
Constitution of India, Contempt of Courts Act.

Highlights of the Judgment:

  • Examination of the maintainability of intra-court appeals against interlocutory orders passed by a Single Judge in contempt proceedings.
  • Re-evaluation of the principle that civil contempt jurisdiction is sui generis and not strictly criminal prosecution.
  • Critical analysis and referral to a larger bench regarding the correctness of the ruling in Ram Kishan Fauji v. State of Haryana.
  • Clarification on whether the criminal genesis of a writ petition converts Article 226 constitutional jurisdiction into criminal jurisdiction.