The Law Commission has recommended that there is no need to amend India’s dreaded contempt of court law. In a report to the government, the commission has said amending the act would “lessen the respect” for India’s judiciary.

“The law for contempt, with power of imposing punishment, ensures respect for the courts in the eyes of the public by guaranteeing sanction against conduct which might assail the honour of the courts. Indeed, the courts must be able to discharge their functions without fear or favour,” the report said. Given the widespread use of the law, the commission is of the opinion that the crime of ‘scandalising the court’ should continue to exist in India, even though it acts as a chilling deterrent on criticising the courts.