MAHESHWAR PERI vs HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT ALLAHABAD THROUGH REGISTRAR GENERAL

The Supreme Court addressed the issue of limitation for initiating suo motu contempt proceedings under Section 20 of The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, which mandates a one-year limitation period from the date of the alleged contempt. The Court held that the High Court's action, initiated four years after the publication of the article, was barred by this limitation period, thus rendering the contempt proceedings invalid. Consequently, the appeal was allowed, and the High Court's order was set aside.