Differing radically from the law on contempt proceedings, Chief Justice of India B.N. Kirpal today pronounced that truth should be a ‘‘good’’ defence for those accused of contempt of court charges. Under the current laws, truth is no defence in contempt of court proceedings and a person can be hauled up for lowering the dignity of the court. ‘‘I believe truth should be a good defence in contempt of court proceedings,’’ the Chief Justice said on his last day in office today.‘‘It will be very harsh to say that somebody has spoken the truth which hurts and hence I will haul him up for contempt,’’ he added.The Chief Justice said contempt of court proceedings were initiated on two counts — one for disobeying the court orders and the other for lowering the dignity of the court. ‘‘The dignity of the court does not have to survive on the basis of contempt of court proceedings. If someone wants to criticise the court, let him do so.”
