Wilful Disobedience
Legal definition for Indian law research
Definition
Wilful disobedience, 'willful disobedience' to a writ issued by a court constitutes civil contempt, though mere failure to obey the writ may not constitute civil contempt depending upon the facts and circumstances of the case. The appropriate mode of enforcing obedience to a writ of habeas corpus is by committal for contempt. A committal order may be made against a person who intentionally makes a false return to a writ of habeas corpus, but an unintentional misrepresentation on a return is not a ground for committal. Civil contempt is punishable with imprisonment as well as fine, Sebastian M. Hongray v. Union of India, AIR 1984 SC 1026: (1984) 3 SCR 544: (1984) 3 SCC 81 (82).
If from the circumstances of a particular case, brought to the notice of the Court, the Court is satisfied that although there has been a disobedience but such disobedience is the result of some compelling circumstances under which it was not possible for the contemner to comply with the order, the Court may not punish the alleged contemner, Niaz Mahammed v. State of Haryana, AIR 1995 SC 308 (311). [Contempt of Courts Act (70 of 1971), s. 2(b)]
If from the circumstances of a particular case, brought to the notice of the Court, the Court is satisfied that although there has been a disobedience but such disobedience is the result of some compelling circumstances under which it was not possible for the contemner to comply with the order, the Court may not punish the alleged contemner, Niaz Mahammed v. State of Haryana, AIR 1995 SC 308 (311). [Contempt of Courts Act (70 of 1971), s. 2(b)]
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