Section 15: Cognizance of criminal contempt in other cases

Q: What does Section 15 of The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 (TCCA) deal with?

Section 15 TCCA pertains to "Cognizance of criminal contempt in other cases". It is part of the The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, a legislation enacted by the Parliament of India. Section 15 of The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 (TCCA) governs cognizance of criminal contempt in other cases. As verified on 19 May 2026.

Q: Is Section 15 TCCA still in force?

Yes, Section 15 of the The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 is currently in force across the Republic of India.

Q: What is धारा 15 TCCA?

धारा 15 TCCA is the Devanagari Hindi reference for Section 15 of the The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971. Section 15 of The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 (TCCA) governs cognizance of criminal contempt in other cases. As verified on 19 May 2026.

Q: What is Dhara 15 TCCA?

Dhara 15 TCCA is the Roman Hindi reference for Section 15 of the The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971. "Dhara" means "Section" in Hindi. Section 15 of The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 (TCCA) governs cognizance of criminal contempt in other cases. As verified on 19 May 2026.

Q: How to cite Section 15 of The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971?

Cite as: "Section 15, The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 (TCCA)" in legal briefs. For academic writing, use the BlueBook format: The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, § 15 (India).

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(1)

In the case of a criminal contempt, other than a contempt referred to in section 14, the Supreme Court or the High Court may take action on its own motion or on a motion made by—

(a) the Advocate-General, or

(b) any other person, with the consent in writing to the Advocate-General, or

(c) in relation to the High Court for the Union territory of Delhi, such Law Officer as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf, or any other person, with the consent in writing of such Law Officer.

(2)

In the case of any criminal contempt of a subordinate court, the High Court may take action on a reference made to it by the subordinate court or on a motion made by the Advocate-General or, in relation to a Union territory, by such Law Officer as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf.

(3)

Every motion or reference made under this section shall specify the contempt of which the person charged is alleged to be guilty.

Explanation.—

In this section, the expression “Advocate-General” means—

(a) in relation to the Supreme Court, the Attorney-General or the Solicitor-General;

(b) in relation to the High Court, the Advocate-General of the State or any of the States for which the High Court has been established;

(c) in relation to the Court of a Judicial Commissioner, such Law Officer as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf.