STATE OF BIHAR ETC. ETC. vs KRIPALU SHANKER ETC. ETC.

The Supreme Court ruled that notings made by officers on government files cannot serve as the basis for contempt actions against them under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971. The Court emphasized that mere expressions of views in official records do not constitute contempt, especially when no formal order appointing an individual had been made post the stipulated deadline. The Court held that the officials' actions did not amount to contempt as they had not disregarded a court order in appointing the ad hoc incumbent after the expiration of the six-month period.