Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 · Chapter XXVI: Provisions As to Offences Affecting the Administration of Justice
Section 345: Procedure in certain cases of contempt
The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 was repealed and replaced by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 from 1 July 2024. It still applies to offences and proceedings from before that date.
(1) When any such offence as is described in section 175, section 178, section 179, section 180 or section 228 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860) is committed in the view or presence of any Civil, Criminal, or Revenue Court, the Court may cause the offender to be detained in custody, and may, at any time before the rising of the Court or the same day, take cognizance of the offence and, after giving 1. Subs. by Act 2 of 2006, s. 6, for clause (b) (w.e.f. 16-4-2006).
the offender a reasonable opportunity of showing cause why he should not be punished under this section, sentence the offender to fine not exceeding two hundred rupees, and, in default of payment of fine, to simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month, unless such fine be sooner paid.
(2) In every such case the Court shall record the fact constituting the offence, with the statement (if any) made by the offender, as well as the finding and sentence.
(3) If the offence is under section 228 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860), the record shall show the nature and stage of the judicial proceeding in which the Court interrupted or insulted was sitting, and the nature of the interruption or insult.
Corresponding sections were matched by comparing the wording of both official texts, and for the IPC and BNS, also against a published correspondence table. Wording, punishments and structure often changed, so read both sections before relying on the match.
Source: India Code (Legislative Department), the text of the Act as it stood before its repeal. Words in square brackets [ ] were inserted or substituted by later amending Acts, and *** marks words omitted by an amendment. The amendment footnotes are not reproduced here. Official text on India Code.
Supreme Court judgments citing the section 345
- Pravat Chandra Mohanty v. The State of Odisha & Anr.
- Fera v. M/S. Premier Limited (Formerly Premier Automobiles Ltd.) & Ors.
- R. Muthukrishnan v. The Registrar General of the High Court of Judicature at Madras
- State of Gujarat & Ors. v. Utility Users’ Welfare Association & Ors.
- Mahipal Singh Rana, Advocate v. State of Uttar Pradesh
- A.P. Power Coordination Committee & Ors. v. Mis. Lanco Kondapalli Power Ltd. & Ors.