DELHI JUDICIAL SERVICE ASSOCIATION,DELHI vs STATE OF GUJARAT .

The Supreme Court held that it possesses inherent power and jurisdiction to take action for contempt of subordinate courts under Articles 32, 129, 136, and 141 of the Constitution of India. The Court emphasized that criminal contempt includes any act that interferes with the administration of justice or lowers the dignity of the court. The case involved police officers assaulting and handcuffing a Chief Judicial Magistrate, which constituted criminal contempt, and the Court laid down guidelines for the treatment of judicial officers by police. The Court affirmed its supervisory jurisdiction over all courts and clarified that the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 does not limit its inherent powers to punish for contempt.