P.N. DUDA vs v. P. SHIV SHANKAR & OTHERS

The Supreme Court dismissed the contempt petition against Shri P. Shiv Shankar, Minister of Law, under Section 15(1)(a) and (b) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, ruling that the speech did not amount to contempt as it did not bring the Court into disrepute. The Court held that public criticism of the judiciary is permissible, provided it does not undermine the dignity of the Court. The petition was deemed not maintainable without the consent of the Attorney General or Solicitor General, and the application by Shri R.N. Trivedi was also dismissed.