Patna: In a ruling laying down the limits of administrative authorities while performing quasi-judicial functions, the Patna high court has held that officers and statutory tribunals, including district magistrates (DMs), have no power to initiate or issue contempt proceedings against litigants or their lawyers.A single bench of justice Alok Kumar passed the order on Sept 22 while allowing a petition filed by Sushant Praveer, a practising advocate of the Patna High Court. Justice Kumar also quashed a contempt notice issued on July 26, 2024, on the directions of Vijay Prakash Meena (IAS), the then DM of Madhepura.Sushant had a heated exchange with the then DM over a request for adjournment in a land acquisition matter.The high court clarified that the power to punish for contempt is strictly vested in the Supreme Court and high courts. “Even subordinate civil or criminal courts do not have inherent power to initiate contempt cases independently and they send a reference for commencement of contempt cases to their respective high court,” justice Kumar observed.
