Deepak Kumar vs Devina Tewari

The Supreme Court held that an appeal under Section 19 of the Contempt of Courts Act is maintainable only against an order imposing punishment for contempt, and not against orders declining to initiate contempt proceedings or exonerating a contemnor. The Court clarified that if the High Court decides on the merits of a dispute in contempt proceedings, such decisions are not appealable under Section 19 but can be challenged under Article 136 of the Constitution. The Court upheld the High Court's dismissal of the contempt application, affirming that no case for contempt was established.