NATIONAL JUDICIAL ACADEMY

RESEARCH REPORT ON:

SUO MOTO COGNIZANCE/ACTION BY THE SUPREME

COURT AND HIGH COURTS IN INDIA AFTER 2000

SUBMITTED BY:

 ASTITVA PRATAP SINGH (INTERN 11/05/2015-

04/05/2015)
 NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY ODISHA, CUTTACK
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

LEVEL I ANALYSIS: ........................................................................................................ 4

Supreme Court .................................................................................................................. 4

Allahabad High Court ....................................................................................................... 6

Andhra Pradesh High Court .............................................................................................. 9

Bombay High Court ........................................................................................................ 11

Calcutta High Court ........................................................................................................ 13

Chhattisgarh High Court ................................................................................................. 14

Delhi High Court ............................................................................................................ 14

Guwahati High Court ...................................................................................................... 17

Gujarat High Court ......................................................................................................... 18

Himachal Pradesh High Court ........................................................................................ 19

Jammu and Kashmir High Court ..................................................................................... 21

Jharkhand High Court..................................................................................................... 21

Karnataka High Court..................................................................................................... 24

Kerala High Court .......................................................................................................... 26

Madhya Pradesh High Court........................................................................................... 26

Tamil Nadu (Madras) High Court ................................................................................... 26

Manipur, Meghalaya High Court .................................................................................... 31

Tripura High Court ......................................................................................................... 31

Orissa High Court ........................................................................................................... 31

Patna High Court ............................................................................................................ 32

Punjab and Haryana High Court..................................................................................... 34

Rajasthan high court ....................................................................................................... 39

Sikkim High Court ........................................................................................................... 42

Uttarakhand High Court ................................................................................................. 43

LEVEL II ANALYSIS: ..................................................................................................... 44

LEVEL III ANALYSIS..................................................................................................... 46
LEVEL I ANALYSIS:

SUPREME COURT

S. No. Case Subject Matter

1. Bank of India Vs. Vijay Transport & Ors., Suo Moto contempt proceedings
MANU/SC/0636/2000 initiated for disobeying the orders
given by the court.
2. In Re: Arundhati Roy, Suo Moto contempt proceedings
MANU/SC/0160/2002 were initiated against Arundhati Roy
as she published an article entitled
"The Greater Common Good" in
Outlook Magazine and the comments
made by her were, prima facie, a
misrepresentation of the proceedings
of the court.
3. In Re: Bineet Kumar Singh, Suo Moto contempt proceedings
MANU/SC/0333/2001 initiated for interference with the
administration of justice.
4. In Re: Death of 25 Chained Inmates in Asylum The court took Suo Moto action
Fire in Tamil Nadu Vs. Union of India and Ors., based on a news item published in all
MANU/SC/0081/2002 the daily newspapers regarding more
than 25 mentally challenged patients
who were housed in a mental asylum
were charred to death at Ervadi in
Ramanathapuram district, Tamil
Nadu.
5. In Re: Destruction of Public and Private Suo moto proceedings were initiated
PropertiesVs. State of A.P. and Ors., by the Supreme Court taking a note
MANU/SC/0575/2009 of various instances of large scale
destruction of public and private
properties in the name of agitations,
bandhs and hartals.
6. Leila David Vs. State of Maharashtra and Ors., Suo Moto contempt proceedings
MANU/SC/0488/2009 were initiated for misconduct and
 indiscipline inside the court.
7. Re: Suo Moto Proceedings against Mr. R. Suo moto contempt proceedings
Karuppan, Advocate, initiated against the advocate for
MANU/SC/0338/2001 filing writ petition with false
affidavit.
8. Court on Its Own Motion Vs. Union of India Certain newspapers reported 67
(UOI) and Ors., deaths of Pilgrims during Amarnath
MANU/SC/0628/2012, yatra mostly because of cardiac
arrests as well as for other reasons,
the court took Suo moto notice of
concerned Articles to appropriately
deal with this serious subject of lack
of medical and other facilities in
public interest.
9. In Re: Indian Woman says gang-raped on orders Court initiatedSuo moto proceedings
of Village Court published in Business and on learning about the gang rape of a
Financial News, 20 year old woman pursuant to
MANU/SC/0242/2014 direction of Village panchayat, as
punishment for having relationship
with a man from a different
community in Subalpur Village, P.S.
Labpur, District Birbhum, State of
West Bengal.
10. In Re: Harassment and Physical Abuse of 'M', The court registered Suo moto writ
MANU/SC/0932/2014 petition in this matter on the basis of
MANU/SC/0937/2014 a bunch of papers handled by the
complainant in relation to gang rape
and aggrieved by inaction of the
police in the same.
11. In Re: Ink Throwing Incident, Contempt of Court, Suo Moto
MANU/SC/0407/2014 contempt proceedings initiated
against an advocate for the act of
throwing ink on someone in the
premises of the court.
12. In Re: News Item Published in Hindustan Times Suo moto proceedings initiated by
Titles 'And Quiet Flows The Maily Yamuna', the apex court based on a new item
 MANU/SC/0153/2012 published in Hindustan Times titled
'A Quite Flows Maili Yamuna' in
relation to the pollution of the river
Yamuna.
13. In Re: Rameshwar Prasad Goyal, Advocate, Suo Moto contempt proceedings
MANU/SC/0848/2013 initiated against the Advocate on
Record as he filed an extremely large
number of cases in the Supreme
Court but never appeared for the
same.
14. In Re: Recent Firing Incident, Widely Reported Cognizance of a firing incident by
in The Press, Resulting in the Death of Two private security personnel which
Persons, Allegedly on Account of Use of 25 resulted in death of two was taken
Firearms by Some Private Security Personnel, based on the news items published in
MANU/SC/1117/2012 this regard.
15. Rajeshwar Singh Vs. Subrata Roy Sahara and Contempt of Court, Suo Moto
Ors., contempt proceedings initiated.
MANU/SC/1321/2011
16. Amicus Curiae Vs. Prashant Bhushan and Anr., Contempt of Court, Suo Moto
MANU/SC/0490/2010 contempt proceedings initiated.

ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT

S. No. Case Subject Matter

1. Association of Dead People, Azamgarh and The High Court took Suo moto
another Vs. State of U.P. and others, cognizance of a media report
MANU/UP/0131/2000 highlighted in the TIMEmagazine,
Asia Edition which published an
Article entitled "Plight of the Living
Dead : Indian Farmers declared
deceased by unscrupulous relatives
must prove they're alive to regain
their land."
2. District Co-operative Bank Ltd. Vs. Badri Ram and The court Suo moto initiated review
Ors., proceedings in this case, the case was
 MANU/UP/0713/2002 earlier decided but certain provisions
were not brought to the notice of the
judge hence this review was initiated.
3. Suomoto action taken by the Court Vs.ICICI Bank The court took Suo moto cognizance
Ltd. through its Chairman and Ors., of some questions of larger public
MANU/UP/1273/2005 importance which arose from the
facts brought on record in the case
Rakesh Mehta and Ors. v.State of
U.P. and Ors., Petition No. 58318 of
2005.
4. Manoj Kumar Kesharwani Vs. Sanjai Kumar The court initiated Suo moto
Kesharwani and Ors., contempt proceedings on the grounds
MANU/UP/2484/2006 of violation of interim injunction
granted by the lower court on the
basis of a complaint received by the
court.
5. In Re: PadamKirti, The court took Suo moto cognizance
MANU/UP/0912/2006 in this case in the basis of a news
report published in Hindustan Times
titled “Bar squabble: Judges cry off
dinner” and initiated contempt
proceedings.
6. Suo motu action taken by the Court Vs. Suo Moto contempt proceedings
SadhnaUpadhyaya Advocate, initiated by the court against the
MANU/UP/1738/2009 advocate for alleging the Judge with
the charge of lack of integrity,
disrupted the proceedings of the court
and also damaged the property of the
court.
7. In Re : Govt. Children's Home at Shivkuti Court took Suo moto cognizance of
Allahabad, the matter after a news report in the
MANU/UP/0861/2012 "Hindustan" daily of crimes of sexual
abuse of minor orphan girls in the
Shivkuti, Allahabad
RajkiyaShishuGrih (Government
Home for infants) by a contract
 chowkidar.
8. In Re: ZilaAdhivakta Sangh Allahabad, Suo motu jurisdiction of Court
MANU/UP/0281/2015 invoked in the public interest to
decide matter of strike by the
advocates which disrupted the
function of Court.
9. Inaction of Police in Lodging FIR's in Offences The court took Suo moto cognizance
Against Women Vs. State of U.P., of matter related to Delay in lodging
MANU/UP/2258/2013 F.I.R. in serious cases of Offences
against women.
10. Ram Swaroop Vs. State of U.P. and Ors., The court initiated Suo Moto
MANU/UP/2407/2013 contempt proceedings against the
contemnor who did not comply with
the directions given by the high
court.
11. Re: In the Matter of Contempt by the Weekly The court initiated Suo moto
Magazine Outlook Vs. Vinod Mehta, Editor in Chief contempt proceedings on the basis of
Outlook and Ors., a story published in a news magazine
MANU/UP/0531/2011 “Outlook” for making the
contemptuous statement outlined in
the story which denigrate the Chief
Justice and the judiciary generally
and tend to scandalize and lower the
authority of the Court and to
prejudice the due course of judicial
proceedings.
12. State of U.P. Vs. Rajesh Tiwari, The court initiated Suo moto
MANU/UP/0476/2010 contempt proceedings against the
contemnor for attempting to lower
the dignity of Court.
13. State of U.P. Vs. Resident Editor, Times of India 16, The proceedings for contempt of
MANU/UP/0187/2011 Court initiated by the
Court Suo motu on the basis of the
news item, published in the Times of
India with the caption "AYODHYA,
MEMORIES OF A DISPUTED
 LIFETIME". The court considered
the said item to be provocative,
calculated to embitter relations
between two communities and
message to Court that if pending
matter was not decided in particular
way serious unruly consequences
would occur.

ANDHRA PRADESH HIGH COURT

S. No. Case Subject Matter

1. Advocate General Vs. State of A.P. and Ors., The court Suo motu took the writ
MANU/AP/0006/2004 petition for consideration in
connection with the collapse of the
multi-storeyed
residential/commercial complexes in
the cities of Hyderabad,
Visakhapatnam and other Municipal
Corporations in the State of A.P. on
the basis of a news item under the
heading 'Building crash raises
disturbing questions' reported by
‘The Hindu’.
2. DokalaPaparao Vs. DokalaButchi Raju and Anr., Contempt of Court, Suo Moto
MANU/AP/1547/2002 contempt proceedings initiated.
3. In Re: Official Liquidator, High Court of Andhra Contempt of Court, Suo Moto
Pradesh; In Re: Southern Udhyans Ltd. (in contempt proceedings initiated.
Liquidation); In Re: Southern Wonder World
Resorts Ltd. (in Liquidation); In Re: Southern
Continental Contractors Ltd. (Suo Motu Ordered
for Provisional Liquidation),
MANU/AP/0172/2008
4. In Re: Sri SitaramChaprala, Advocate, High Court Contempt of Court, Suo Moto
of A.P., contempt proceedings initiated.
MANU/AP/0556/2009
5. In re: Sri V. Satyanarayana Rao S/o. Sri V.C. Rao, Contempt of Court, Suo Moto
MANU/AP/0579/2007 contempt proceedings initiated.
6. Mystery Gas Spreads Panic Vs. The Director, A.P. Court took the matter Suo moto on
Pollution Control Board, The Inspector of the basis of newspaper reports
Factories, The Secretary to Govt., Industries regarding spreading of panic owing
Department, The Secretary to Govt., Forest, Energy, to a mischievous gas with foul smell
Environment Science & Technology Dept and The resulting in breathing problem.
Chief Secretary to Govt., Govt of A.P. and 13 Ors.,
MANU/AP/1129/2001
7. News Item (Paper Clipping, The New Indian The court Suo moto took up writ
Express dated 27-10-2005 at page No. 5)Vs. petition based on an article published
Principal, Bapatla Engineering College, in a newspaper under the caption
MANU/AP/0859/2005 "Ragging drives student to suicide"
which reveals that a first year student
of an Engineering College,
committed suicide by consuming
pesticide at his residence.
8. State of A.P. rep. by the Advocate General, High Contempt of Court, Suo Moto
Court of A.P. Vs. S. Tulasidas, Advocate, S. Sharat contempt proceedings initiated.
Kumar, Legal Correspondent of Andhra Jyothi and
S. Pradeep Kumar, Legal Correspondent of
Vaartha,
MANU/AP/1524/2002
9. State of A.P. Vs. O.P. Jalan and another, Contempt of Court, Suo Moto
MANU/AP/0563/2000 contempt proceedings initiated.
10. In Re: BandaruMadhava Naidu, Contempt of Court, Suo Moto
MANU/AP/0183/2015 contempt proceedings initiated.
 BOMBAY HIGH COURT

S. No. Case Subject Matter

1. Court on its own motion Vs. State of Maharashtra The Court took Suo moto cognizance
and Ors., of news items of dangerous and
MANU/MH/1489/2008 dilapidated structures in the Nagpur
City which were not, or could not be
demolished.
2. Gopal L. Raheja and Anr. Vs. Vijay B. Raheja and Contempt of Court, Suo Moto
Ors., contempt proceedings initiated.
MANU/MH/0782/2006
3. High Court of Judicature of Bombay Vs. Ms. Contempt of Court, Suo Moto
Manisha Koirala and Anr., contempt proceedings initiated.
MANU/MH/1793/2002
4. High Court on its own motion Vs. Shri Contempt of Court, Suo Moto
GopinathMundhe and Ors., contempt proceedings initiated.
MANU/MH/0724/2006
5. In Re: Mr. B. S. Brar, Director General of Police, Contempt of Court, Suo Moto
State of Goa, Panaji, Goa; Mr. Manish contempt proceedings initiated.
SadanandKarapurkar Editor, The Times of India
and Goa Edition, Vivenda de Hassan, D.B.
Bandodkar Marg, Miramar, Panaji, Goa
AND
In Re: Mr. Bosco George, Superintendent of Police
(North) Panaji, Goa; Mr. AshwinTombat Editor, O
Heraldo, St. Tome Road, Panaji, Goa,
MANU/MH/1712/2008
6. Suo Motu Writ Petition on the reports published in Suo moto writ petition taken up by
various Marathi Newspapers about the untimely the court based on the news report of
death of many children due to malnutrition within the Marathi newspaper with regard to
two months Vs. The State of Maharashtra and Ors., the death of children due to
MANU/MH/0625/2006 malnourishment within tribal as well
as non-tribal areas.
7. The Court on its Own Motion Vs. Sou. Contempt of Court, Suo Moto
JayashreeKhadilkar contempt proceedings initiated.
Pandey, NilkanthYeshwantKhadilkar and The State
 of Maharashtra,
MANU/MH/0474/2003
8. The Managing Director, (Goa Constructions Court took cognizance of public
Housing and Finance Corporation Limited), State of advertisement released by
Goa through its Chief Secretary and Mr. Siddharth Government officials of public sector
Kuncalienkar, Shantaban Co-operative Hsg. Society undertaking wishing happy birthday
Vs. State of Goa through Chief Secretary, Health and wedding anniversary to the
Minister, Finance Minister (Secretariat) and Chairman.
Director, Directorate of Health Services,
MANU/MH/0014/2009
9. The Registrar, High Court of Judicature at Bombay, Contempt of Court, Suo Moto
Bench at Aurangabad Vs. The State of Maharashtra contempt proceedings initiated.
and Bhagwan S/o PralhadFulsunder,
MANU/MH/0902/2007

10. Article in Mumbai Mirror Vs. The Secretary, The court took Suo moto cognizance
Department of Women and Child Development,
Govt. of Maharashtra and Ors.,
MANU/MH/1258/2010
11. Court on its Own Motion Vs. The Nagpur Municipal
Corporation, through Commissioner and Ors.,
MANU/MH/1708/2010
of the matter based on the article
Mumbai Mirror stating that, five
mentally challenged children lodged
at a Children's Home has died of
malnutrition and disease. One child is
alleged to have been raped. Another
is missing.
The court took Suo moto cognizance
and initiated this public interest
litigation based on the news item
published in local daily "Navbharat"
exposing pathetic road conditions,
rampant encroachment on footpaths
and chaotic conditions due to traffic
congestion, water logging at various
places in rainy season for want of
proper drainage, unauthorized hotels
and shop owners throwing garbage
and dirty water on road, coupled with
unauthorized taxis and two wheelers
 parking on footpaths in surroundings
of Nagpur Railway Station
12. High Court on its own Motion Vs. Contempt of Court, Suo Moto
DnyandevTulshiramJadhav and State of contempt proceedings initiated.
Maharashtra,
MANU/MH/0371/2011
13. High Court on its own Motion Vs. Mr. N.B. Contempt of Court, Suo Moto
Deshmukh, contempt proceedings initiated.
MANU/MH/1689/2010
14. High Court on its own motion Vs. Shri Dattatray Contempt of Court, Suo Moto
Narayan Samant and Shri C.S. Joshi, Advocate, contempt proceedings initiated.
MANU/MH/0691/2011
15. High Court on its own motion Vs. Pradeep Contempt of Court, Suo Moto
PandurangSuryawanshi, Police Inspector, contempt proceedings initiated.
MANU/MH/0093/2011
16. In Re: The state of Goa through its Chief Secretary, The court took Suo moto cognizance
Secretariat, Porvorim, Goa, Secretary, P.W.D., of the matter and registered a writ
Government of Goa, Secretariat, Porvorim, Goa, petition on the basis of an editorial
State Pollution Control Board, at Patto, Panaji, captioned "Rain and Dry Taps",
Goa and The Central Pollution Control Board, New published in "The Navhind Times".
Delhi,
MANU/MH/2165/2010
17. Pilerne Citizens Forum, a Society registered under The court took Suo moto cognizance
the provisions of the Societies Registration Act, of the matter based on the basis of a
represented herein by its Secretary Shri newspaper report was published in
SuvarnesinghRane Vs. The State of Goa through its daily 'Herald'. The newspaper report
Chief Secretary and Ors., was regarding the alleged illegal sale
MANU/MH/0888/2010 of the land held by Communidade of
Pilerne to builders after entering into
compromise with builders.

CALCUTTA HIGH COURT

S. No. Case Subject Matter

1. The Court on its own Motion Vs. Sri Biman Bose Contempt of Court, Suo Moto
 and 2 Ors., contempt proceedings initiated.
MANU/WB/0114/2010
2. In Re: The Court on its Own Motion, Court initiated Suo moto contempt
MANU/WB/0067/2007 proceedings.
3. In Re: Director General of Police and Ors., Court initiated Suo moto contempt
MANU/WB/0023/2007 proceedings.
4. State of West Bengal & Ors.Vs.Pradip Kumar Das Court initiated Suo moto contempt
&Ors., proceedings.
MANU/WB/1397/2010

CHHATTISGARH HIGH COURT

No Cases of Suo Moto cognizance after 2000

DELHI HIGH COURT

S. No. Case Subject Matter

1. Court on its Own Motion Vs. Lok Nath Grover and Court initiated Suo moto contempt
Anr., proceedings.
MANU/DE/4202/2009
2. Court on Its Own Motion Vs. State and Ors., Suo moto cognizance was take up by
MANU/DE/2104/2008 the court upon the newspaper reports
which spoke of the terror let loose on
the roads of Delhi by Blue Line buses
in the wake of repeated accidents.
3. Court on its Own Motion Vs. State, The court Suo moto took up the issue
MANU/DE/8932/2007 related to a sting operation by news
channel showing a teacher involved
in organized prostitution racket as a
result of which the teacher was
attacked and later suspended.
Subsequent investigation revealed
that whole sting operation was stage
managed to frame the teacher.
4. Court on its motion Vs. Union of India (UOI) and Court on its motion took into account
Ors., the numerous fatal accidents caused
MANU/DE/7415/2007 by DTC, blue line and other vehicles
in the Delhi roads due to violation of
rules.
5. Court on its own Motion Vs. Ajay Yadav, Court initiated Suo moto contempt
MANU/DE/2850/2009 proceedings.
6. Court on its own Motion Vs. All India Institute of The Court took Suo moto cognizance
Medical Sciences, in relation to the strike by the
MANU/DE/0908/2002 residents doctors association of All
India Institute of Medical Sciences
(AIIMS).
7. Court on its own Motion Vs. Central Bureau of The court took Suo moto cognizance
Investigation, based on news item in a national
MANU/DE/0026/2004 daily "Statesman" which spoke about
prima facie illegality related to an
order published against which the
court summoned the record, noticed
the CBI and stayed its operation.
8. Court on its own Motion Vs. GulshanBajwa, Court initiated Suo moto contempt
MANU/DE/9044/2006 proceedings.
9. Court on its own Motion Vs. State, The court took Suo moto cognizance
MANU/DE/1233/2001 of this case dealing with a petition
under Article 226 of the Constitution
of India, for non-releasing of the
beggars due to their failure to furnish
bail bonds. The same was taken up
by the court on the basis of a news
item which appeared in 'Pioneer'
under the heading "Puja lands man in
beggar's hope".
10. Court on its own motion Vs. Central Vigilance The court too Suo moto cognizance
Commission, in the present case upon a news item
MANU/DE/7645/2007 wherein it was alleged that various
application were pending for grant of
sanction for prosecuting the public
 servants.
11. Court on its own motion Vs. Mr. GulshanBajwa, Court initiated Suo moto contempt
MANU/DE/9519/2006 proceedings.
12. Court on its own motion Vs. State and Ors., The court took Suo moto cognizance
MANU/DE/0978/2008 registered the petition to issue notices
in respect of a telecast 'Ghoos Mahal
&Tihar Saga' shown by the channel
'AajTak'. The said feature disclosed
and revealed acts of prison officials
showing and giving undue favour to
prisoners in breach of the Rules
under the Jail Manual.
13. Courts On Its Own Motion Vs. In The Matter of The court took up Suo moto
Statement made by Shri Raman Duggal, Adv., contempt proceedings based on a
MANU/DE/0046/2001 news item appearing in the Hindustan
Timeswhich led to issuance of
anotice to the Commissioner,
Municipal Corporation of Delhi.
14. Sh. H. SyamaSundara Rao Vs. Union of India (UOI) Court initiated Suo moto contempt
and Ors., proceedings.
MANU/DE/9650/2006
15. Court its Own Motion Vs. Union of India (UOI), The court took Suo moto cognizance
MANU/DE/0046/2011 of the matter based on a newspaper
report published in the 'Hindustan
Times' that a destitute woman
breathed her last on a busy street
after giving birth to a baby girl.
16. Court on Its Motion Vs. Directorate of Education Public interest litigation was
GNCT of Delhi, initiated Suo motu by the court on the
MANU/DE/1940/2011 basis of a letter about a girl getting
hit by a stone on the eye in a
government school and due to delay
in treatment caused by the school
authorities lost her partial vision.
17. Court on Its Own Motion Vs. Union of India & Ors., The Court took Suo moto cognizance
MANU/DE/0410/2014 of the issue of the recent incidents of
 intolerance to movement of people
within the country.
18. Court on its Own Motion Vs. Union of India (UOI) This Public Interest Litigation
and Ors., was Suo motu initiated by the Court
MANU/DE/0042/2011 on the basis of a report published in
'Hindustan Times' captioned "Man
dies as 3 hospitals refuse him
treatment".
19. Court on its Own Motion Vs. Union of India (UOI) The court Suo moto initiated this
through Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, public interest writ petition on the
MANU/DE/1362/2011 basis of the report in the Sunday
Times of India, New Delhi, wherein
it has been mentioned "Indian
veggies, fruits remain highly toxic".
20. Court on its Own Motion Vs. Union of India and The court took Suo motu cognizance
Ors., of the incident reported in the news
MANU/DE/1489/2015 media of a Traffic Policeman, in
retaliation, hurling a brick at a
woman.
21. Court on its Own Motion Vs. Zenith Mining Pvt. Court initiated Suo moto contempt
Ltd. &Anr., proceedings.
MANU/DE/2952/2013

GUWAHATI HIGH COURT

S. No. Case Subject Matter

1. Director, N.E.R.I.S.T. Vs. D. Roy Choudhury, Court initiated Suo moto contempt
MANU/GH/0386/2007 proceedings.
2. Krishna Kanta Borah Vs. State of Assam and Ors., Court initiated Suo moto contempt
MANU/GH/0656/2008 proceedings.
3. In Re: State of Assam and Ors., The court Suo moto initiated this
MANU/GH/0492/2014 public interest litigation on the basis
of a news report of 'The Sentinel'
regarding encroachment in and
around the birth place of a colossal
 figure in the history of Assam.

GUJARAT HIGH COURT

S. No. Case Subject Matter

1. Suo Motu Vs. Ahmedabad Municipal Corpn. and 46 The court took Suo moto
Ors., cognizance to gear up the
MANU/GJ/8067/2006 administration to take prompt action
in the direction of improving the
sanitary condition of the city of
Ahmedabad.
2. Suo Motu Vs. Mr. S.B. Vakil, Advocate, High Court Court initiated Suo moto contempt
of Gujarat and Ors., proceedings.
MANU/GJ/8672/2006
3. Suo Motu Vs. State of Gujarat, The court initiated Suo motu action
MANU/GJ/0313/2005 to see that vehicular traffic is
regulated properly so as to see that
accidents are averted and citizens do
not lose their lives due to accidents.
4. Suo Motu Vs. Nandlal Thakkar, Advocate, Court initiated Suo moto contempt
MANU/GJ/0005/2012 proceedings.
5. Suo Motu Vs. State of Gujarat and Ors., The court Suo moto initiated
MANU/GJ/0302/2013 thisPublic Interest Litigation on the
basis of a news item published in The
Times of India (Ahmedabad Edition)
captioned "Thrown out by violent
husband? - Wait For Three Months
To File A Domestic Violence
Complaint! and "Class no bar for
Woman Battering", sub-captioned
Protection Officers are exploited
too."
6. Suo Motu Vs. Yogesh J. Bhatt, Court initiated Suo moto contempt
MANU/GJ/0788/2014 proceedings.
 HIMACHAL PRADESH HIGH COURT

S. No. Case Subject Matter

1. Court On Its Own Motion Vs. State of H.P. and The court took Suo moto cognizance
Ors., of the matter on the basis of a news-
MANU/HP/0211/2001 item which appeared in the
"Hindustan Times" (daily) under the
title "Deaf prisoner denied means to
defend himself" to find out ill-
treatment of deaf prisoner.
2. Court on its Own Motion Vs. State of H.P., The court took Suo moto cognizance
MANU/HP/0176/2012 of this matter on the basis of a news
item registered which appeared in
Hindustan Times, in which it was
mentioned that power transmission
lines were being laid on left bank of
Sutlej which would endanger area in
question and lead to cutting of more
than 15000 trees.
3. Court on its own motion Vs. Chairman, Baba Balak This writ petition was registered Suo
Nath Temple Trust Deothsidh District Hamirpur, motoon the basis of a letter bringing
H.P., in the notice of the Court that an
MANU/HP/1697/2012 amount of 1,00,000/-has been spent
from a Trust Fund for an
advertisement in the souvenir
published by the Himachal Tourism.
4. Court on its Own Motion Vs. Union of India, The Court took Suo moto cognizance
MANU/HP/0152/2015 of the news item, which appeared in
the daily edition of The Indian
Express under caption "Army
barriers restrict movement in Nahan
villages, locals irked".
5. Court on its Own Motion Vs. State of H.P. and Anr., The court took Suo moto cognizance
MANU/HP/2884/2010 in this Petition on a news item that
appeared in 'Dainik Jagran' pertaining
to the untouchability.
6. Court on its own motion Vs. State of H.P. and Anr., The court instituted this writ petition
MANU/HP/2960/2010 by taking Suo moto cognizance in
view of a news item that appeared in
"Punjab Kesari" regarding the alleged
sad state of affairs in the matter of
functioning of some aided
educational institutions.
7. Court on its own motion Vs. State of HP and Ors., The court Suo moto registered this
MANU/HP/0015/2010 writ petition on the basis of a
newspaper item that appeared in the
Tribune which stated that the mother
of a martyr has been waiting for
pension for very long.
8. Court on its own motion Vs. State of Himachal The court took Suo moto cognizance
Pradesh, in this matter on the news item,
MANU/HP/0346/2014 which was published in the
newspaper "Amar Ujala" wherein it
was reported that 24 students of an
Institute washed away in the Beas
river after the LarjiHydel Power
Project Authorities discharged the
water into the river allegedly without
taking all steps required under law.
9. Court on its own motion Vs. State of Himachal The Court has taken Suo motu
Pradesh and Ors., cognizance to check and arrest the
MANU/HP/2841/2010 menace of stray dogs within the
territorial jurisdiction of Municipal
Corporation, Shimla
10. Court on its own motion Vs. The H.P. State The current public interest litigation
Cooperative Bank Ltd., was drawn Suo moto by the court
MANU/HP/0977/2014 upon treating the recommendation of
the Finance/Purchase committed,
formed to investigate the issue where
Bank Authorities were making tax
deductions on interest accrued on
term deposits, as Public Interest
 Litigation.
11. Court on its own motion Vs. The Principal Secretary The current case was taken up Suo
(I&PH) to the Govt. of H.P. and Ors., moto by the court on the information
MANU/HP/0175/2012 brought to the notice of the Chief
Justice that the sewerage treatment
plant at MohallaDoli in District
Hamirpur is situated close to the
natural water supply.

JAMMU AND KASHMIR HIGH COURT

No Cases of Suo Moto cognizance after 2000

JHARKHAND HIGH COURT

S. No. Case Subject Matter

1. Court on Its Own Motion Vs. GabrialKujur, Court initiated Suo moto contempt
MANU/JH/0852/2006 proceedings.
2. Court on its own motion Vs. State of Jharkhand, The court in this case Suo moto
MANU/JH/1031/2006 initiated Criminal writ proceedings
on the basis of a newspaper report
containing information about ACJM
recalling the warrant of arrest issued
against the accused.
3. Court on its own motion Vs. The State of Jharkhand The court took up the case Suo moto
and Ors., on the basis of a letter received by the
MANU/JH/0062/2007 father of the deceased aggrieved by
the conduct of the local police and
the improper investigation of the
death of the son.
4. Dhananjay Kumar Vs. State of Jharkhand and Ors., Court initiated Suo moto contempt
MANU/JH/0966/2006 proceedings.
5. Jharkhand High Court (own motion) Vs. Babban Court initiated Suo moto contempt
Ram, proceedings.
 MANU/JH/0407/2005
6. Court on its Own Motion Vs. State of Jharkhand, The court took up the case Suo moto
MANU/JH/1914/2013 upon the safety measures and other
related issues when a tragic accident
happened wherein, an overcrowded
boat capsized in Ranchi Lake.
7. Court On Its Own Motion Vs. State of Jharkhand High Court Suo moto registered large
and Ors., number of public interest litigations
MANU/JH/1039/2011 and ordered that large number of
encroachments on the public sector
units be removed from entire State of
Jharkhand.
8. Court on its Own Motion Vs. The Principal The court Suo moto took cognizance
Secretary, based on the news published in the
MANU/JH/1112/2014 various newspapers relating to fasting
of the prisoners regarding premature
release of the life convicts, who have
spent more than 14 years in prison.
9. Court on its Own Motion Vs. The State of The court took Suo moto cognizance
Jharkhand, of the matter based on the report in
MANU/JH/0735/2014 the daily newspaper "The Telegraph"
about the appalling condition of the
toilets in the State-run-schools.
10. Court on its Own MotionVs.The State of Jharkhand, The Court took Suo moto cognizance
MANU/JH/1057/2014 in respect of the alleged trafficking of
a girl in this case.
11. Court on its Own MotionVs.Union of India, The Court took Suo moto cognizance
MANU/JH/1349/2014 of the report published in 'The
Hindustan Times' regarding the
devastating effect of Radiation
emanating from the mining of
Uranium on environment and
population in village Jadugora,
district-East Singhbhum in the State
of Jharkhand.
12. Court on its Own MotionVs.Union of India and The court took Suo moto cognizance
 Ors., and registered a Public Interest
MANU/JH/1864/2014 Litigation based on the news item
published in Hindustan Times
(English Edition) regarding alarming
increase in pre-natal sex
determination amongst the pregnant
women in Jharkhand.
13. Court on its Own motionVs.The State of Jharkhand, The court took Suo moto cognizance
MANU/JH/1485/2014 of the news item reported in the
newspaper, 'Times of India' relating
to low rate of registration of births at
58% in the State of Jharkhand
compared to National Level of 82%
and initiated this as Public Interest
Litigation.
14. Court on its own MotionVs.State of Jharkhand and The court Suo moto registered this
Ors., case as Public Interest Litigation
MANU/JH/0766/2010 taking notice of the newspaper
publication wherein it was reported
that in the midday meal, a lizard was
found cooked and because of that, the
mid-day meal eaten by the infant
children, forty-eight have become
seriously ill and the condition of the
infant children were found in a
precarious condition.
15. Court on its own motionVs.State of Jharkhand and The took up this matter Suo moto
Ors., based on the newspaper report of
MANU/JH/0119/2011 'Dainik Bhaskar' stating that there are
number of buildings in the city,
which have not submitted
Completion Certificate to the local
authorities and consequently no
occupancy certificates have been
issued by the local authorities.
16. Court on its own motionVs.The State of Jharkhand, The court took up this matter Suo
 MANU/JH/0908/2014 moto based on the new item
published by the daily Newspaper
"the Pioneer" (English Edition), it
transpires that a major portion of
Jubilee Lake has dense growth of
aquatic plants algae causing
imminent threat to human life and
life of fishes.
17. Court on its own motion Vs. Union of India and The court took Suo moto cognizance
others, on the basis of the news report
MANU/JH/1025/2012 published by the Hindustan Times,
Times of India (English Edition),
Dainik Bhaskar, (Hindi Edition)
which transpired that Doctors of
various Government Hospitals,
Dispensaries remained off their
duties on the call of the Indian
Medical Association due to which
several deaths were reported for want
of proper treatment,lots of patient
remained in constant unbearable pain
due to illness, injuries, and a number
of surgeries/operations were
postponed and were not performed
because Doctors were on strike.

KARNATAKA HIGH COURT

S. No. Case Subject Matter

1. Suo Motu Vs. The Chief Secretary Government of The court in this matter took Suo
Karnataka and The Chairman, Empowered moto cognizance based on a letter
Committee Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure addressed to the court along with the
Corridor Project and Ors., book by name of "Bangalore-Mysore
MANU/KA/0057/2009 Infrastructure Corridor Project - a
Case Study in Fraud and Collusion to
 defeat the ends of justice and defraud
courts" referring to Lok Ayukta for
investigation.
2. Suo Motu Vs. The State of Karnataka represented by The High Court in this case Suo moto
the Chief Secretary and Ors., initiated Public interest litigation
MANU/KA/0275/2009 based on press report as to
mysterious death of elephants in
Mysore forest area.
3. High Court of Karnataka, Bangalore Vs. N.V. Court initiated Suo moto contempt
Rinivasa, proceedings.
MANU/KA/2249/2011
4. High Court of Karnataka, Represented by the Court initiated Suo moto contempt
Registrar General Vs. Mr. Patrick Lawrence, proceedings.
Proprietor, M/s. Lion Holding's,
MANU/KA/2254/2013
5. Suo Motu Vs. Government of Karnataka, The court Suo moto took cognizance
MANU/KA/2397/2014 in the current matter regarding the
unfettered felling of trees brought to
the notice of the Court by a letter
expressing concern over the
unregulated felling of trees in the
garb of development and road
widening in the City of Bangalore.
6. Suo Motu Vs. The State of Karnataka Rep. by The The court Suo moto initiated the
Chief Secretary and Ors., present petition on directions of
MANU/KA/2097/2013 Chief Justice pertaining to death of
four elephants in Mysore Forest Area
reported in daily newspaper.
7. The High Court of Karnataka rep. by its Registrar Court initiated Suo moto contempt
General Vs. G. Ramesh S/o late C. Ganesh proceedings.
Secretary of the Petitioner Institution and Smt.
Pushpalatha W/o. Sri Satyanarayana K.L.,
MANU/KA/0913/2011
 KERALA HIGH COURT

S. No. Case Subject Matter

1. In Re: M.S. Ravi and Ors., Court initiated Suo moto contempt
MANU/KE/1298/2009'); proceedings.
2. Suo MotuVs.Sri M.S. Ravi, The Partner, Sri K.S. Court initiated Suo moto contempt
Mani, Editor-in-Chief, Sri Deepu Ravi, Managing proceedings.
Editor and Sri M.S. Madhusoosanan,
MANU/KE/0022/2009
3. In Re: M.V. Jayarajan, Court initiated Suo moto contempt
MANU/KE/2293/2011 proceedings.
4. Suo Motu Proceedings Vs. State of Kerala, The court took up this writ petition
MANU/KE/0626/2014 Suo moto on the basis of a joint
petition received from students of the
Government Tribal School with
regard to the lack of proper
classrooms.

MADHYA PRADESH HIGH COURT

S. No. Case Subject Matter

1. Encroachment over Tomb of Mohammad Ghaus Vs. The court took Suo moto cognizance
The State of M.P. and Ors., in this matter on the basis of news
MANU/MP/0123/2014 article published in daily newspaper
"NaiDunia", Gwalior City Edition in
regard to illegal activities in and
around the premises of two
monuments of historical importance.

TAMIL NADU (MADRAS) HIGH COURT

S. No. Case Subject Matter

1. Additional District Judge-cum-Chief Judicial The court Suo moto initiated this
Magistrate, petition by treating a letter of
MANU/TN/1842/2002 Additional District Judge as petition
which was sent to the court for
requesting the transfer of a particular
case to some other court.
2. B. Ramalingam, Formerly III Additional Judge, City The court Suo moto initiated
Civil Court, Chennai now functioning as Additional contempt proceedings against the
District Judge-cum-Presiding Officer, Special contemnor for not abiding by the
Court, constituted under E.C. Act, Salem, orders of the high court.
MANU/TN/2085/2005
3. C.R. Rajasekaran Vs. Judicial Magistrate, The court initiated Suo moto revision
MANU/TN/0219/2003 petition on the basis of a letter
written to the Chief Judicial
Magistrate regarding the decision by
a lower court in which there was non-
compliance of the proper procedure.
4. Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority rep. The court initiated Suo moto revision
by its Member Secretary, Chennai Vs. proceedings in this case in relation to
AbdurRehman, Hotel Nest International, Chennai a number of suits which were
and The Corporation of Chennai rep. by its entertained by a lower court the
Commissioner, Chennai, jurisdiction of which was expressly
MANU/TN/0359/2002 barred under the said act. The civil
court did not have the jurisdiction
and the suits were still entertained
without looking into the issue of
maintainability of the said suits.
5. Dr. S. Ramadoss and two Ors., Suo moto contempt proceedings
MANU/TN/0138/2003 initiated by the court on the ground
of disobedience in respect of the
orders given by the high court.
6. The Registrar (Administration) Vs. The State of The court took Suo moto cognizance
Tamil Nadu, and registered this writ petition as
MANU/TN/6172/2006 public interest litigation on the basis
of a news item which was published
in "Daily Thanthi"highlighting illegal
 transportation of passengers in goods
carriages.
7. In Re: The Chief Election Commissioner and Ors., The court Suo moto took cognizance
MANU/TN/1955/2011 of the news item published in the
newspaper "The Hindu" wherein
certain statements made by the
Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil
Nadu alleging excessive restrictions
imposed by the Election
Commission.
8. The Registrar (Judicial), Madurai Bench of Madras The court in this case took
High Court Vs. The Secretary to Government, cognizance of the matter Suo moto
Environment and Forest Department and Ors., on the basis of news reported in a
MANU/TN/3125/2010 Tamil daily "Dina Malar" in regard to
the dumping of wastage materials
like broken plastics, used tyres, waste
papers etc.in large quantities in the
vacant place near the market situate
opposite to Thidirnagar Police
Station, Madurai.
9. In Re: Devan, Formerly the Inspector of Police, The court initiated Suo moto
MANU/TN/1474/2004 contempt proceedings against the
contemnor in relation to filing of a
false affidavit.
10. In Re: R. Kaaruppan, The court initiated Suo moto
MANU/TN/1418/2004 contempt proceedings against an
advocate for professional misconduct
11. In Re: S. Durai, The court initiated Suo moto
MANU/TN/2816/2002 contempt proceedings against the
contemnor for making false
allegations against the court.
12. In Re: The Additional District Judge-cum-Chief The court took up these revision
Judicial Magistrate, Nagapattinam, proceedings Suo moto in respect of
MANU/TN/3036/2002 whether the lower court which
decided the case had the jurisdiction
to try the case.
13. In the matter of Drunken Driving Vs. The Chief The court Suo moto initiated the
Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu and Ors., present writ petition with regard to
MANU/TN/4098/2009 the news item that appeared in The
Times of India under the title
'CRACKDOWN ON DRUNK
DRIVERS HITS RED TAPE’ in
regard to the failure of the transport
department in effectively
implementing the provisions of the
Motor Vehicles Act.
14. R. JeevaJothi Vs. Inspector of Police, The court initiated Suo moto criminal
MANU/TN/7815/2007 revision petitionon coming to know
about the irregularities committed by
aJudicial Magistrate, while
conducting an enquiry in a case.
15. Madras High Court Advocates' Association rep. by The court initiated this writ petition
its PresidentVs.The State of Tamil Nadu rep. by the Suo moto on the basis of a lettersent
Chief Secretary, The State of Tamil Nadu rep. by the by the Madras High Court
Secretary Home Department, Mo. Kandasamy Singh Advocates’ Association with regard
General Secretary All India Advocates' Association to appointment of a State and District
(SC/ST/OBC and Minorities) and Women Lawyers' level committee to deal with
Association rep. by its Secretary (Mrs. exclusive problems between police
KoviRamalingam), and lawyers.
MANU/TN/3080/2006
16. Nagarjuna Finance Ltd. Vs. Ashokraj and Anr., The court instituted Suo moto
MANU/TN/0674/2000 contempt proceedings.
17. The Principal District Judge Vs. State represented The court initiated Suo moto revision
by Public Prosecutor, High Court, proceedings based on the report
MANU/TN/8191/2006 received from the Principal Sessions
Judge after inspecting the Assistant
Sessions Court, Panruti for the
purpose of deciding whether the
Assistant Sessions court has
jurisdiction to try a case which was
going on in the said court.
18. In Re: A. Venkatesan, S/o. T. Adikesavan, Assistant The court initiated Suo moto
 Section Officer, Attached to Home (P&E) contempt proceedings in this case in
Department, Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai relation to the code of conduct within
the court premises regarding the
AND usage of Cell Phone or any other
Digital or Electronic Device/Gadgets
Appellants: V. Arun, Advocate, S/o. Mr. M. having audio/video recording
Vaithilingam, ChennaiVs.Government of Tamil capability in any mode, inside the
Nadu, rep. by its Chief Secretary, Secretariat, Court halls and the Court premises
Chennai and Others,
MANU/TN/2185/2012
19. In Re: G.S. Desingu, President, DRT/DRAT Bar The court initiated Suo moto
Association, contempt proceeding in this case on
MANU/TN/2983/2013 the basis of a letter the contents of
which would clearly go to show that
a serious offence had been made out
and the same is not in the interest of
the Bar & the Bench, and is also a
clear and direct attempt to interfere
with the administration of justice.
20. In Re: V. Raghavachar, The court initiated Suo moto
MANU/TN/2548/2012 contempt proceedings against an
advocate for having committed
contempt of Court.
21. Krishnakumar Vs. The Chief Secretary to the Suo moto contempt proceedings
Government of Tamil Nadu, initiated by the court.
MANU/TN/0997/2014
22. Peter Ramesh Kumar Vs. Suo Motu, The court initiated Suo moto
MANU/TN/2622/2013 contempt proceedings against the
contemnor for committing gross
contempt, obstructing the
proceedings of the court and also for
misbehaving with another advocated
in the court.
 MANIPUR, MEGHALAYA HIGH COURT

No cases on Suo moto cognizance

TRIPURA HIGH COURT

S. No. Case Subject Matter

1. Court on own motion Vs. Narayan Kumar Das, The court took up this case Suo moto
MANU/TR/0493/2014 involving granting of anticipatory
bail. The petitioner who filed for
grant of anticipatory bail was denied
bail by the court of Additional
Sessions Judge, the accused-
petitioner was never arrested and he
filed another application for bail
within 10 days. The same court
granted the bail in this second bail
petition without any reference to the
earlier bail and there were no new
averments in the new bail petition.

ORISSA HIGH COURT

S. No. Case Subject Matter

1. PravakarMohapatra and Anr.Vs.State of Orissa, Suo moto contempt proceedings
MANU/OR/0398/2001 initiated against a magistrate for
overriding the directions of the high
court.
2. The Secretary, Bar AssociationVs.Sri D. The court Suo moto initiated criminal
Mohapatra, Executive Magistrate, revision proceedings in the matter
MANU/OR/0237/2003 wherein a magistrate without
considering the submission of the
lawyer and without accepting the
offer of bail, passed an order of
 remand and sent him to jail custody.
3. Registrar (Judl.) Orissa High Court Vs. State of The court Suo moto initiated this
Orissa, Public Interest Litigation on the basis
MANU/OR/0629/2010 of a news item published in "The
Times of India" under the head line
"Over 100 villagers lose vision after
cataract operation" in an eye surgery
camp held by a private organization
with the aid and assistance of the
district administration.
4. State of Orissa Vs. TarakantaMohapatra&Ors., The court initiated Suo moto
MANU/OR/0314/2011 contempt proceeding against the
contemnors for wilful violation of the
order of the Court.
5. State Vs. Alekh Chandra Phai and Anr., The court in this case initiated Suo
MANU/OR/0605/2010 moto contempt proceedings against
police officials who misbehaved with
a high court judge even after
knowing his identity and the same
was considered to have lowered the
image of the high court.

PATNA HIGH COURT

S. No. Case Subject Matter

1. In Re: Report of the District & Sessions Judge; In The court Suo moto took the
Re: suo motu action against the Superintendent of cognizance of the matter and initiated
Police and Ors., proceedings of contempt for
MANU/BH/0071/2003 criminally assaulting District Judge
and officers & employees of Court
establishment.
2. In Re: Sri Ram Krishna Pandey, The court initiated Suo moto
MANU/BH/0726/2004 contempt proceedings against the
 contemnors forrefusal and/or failure
on their part to carry out the
undertakings/orders given by the
court.
3. In the matter of Suo Motu action by the High Court The court took cognizance of the
of Judicature at Patna and in Re: the matter of the matter Suo moto in this case on the
citizens of the District of Jehanabad Vs. The State of basis of the news reports of almost all
Bihar through the Chief Secretary, Secretary, Home newspapers which published the
Director General of Police, Superintendent of report about police getting berserk
Police, Jehanabad and the District Magistrate, and had unmercifully beaten the
Jehanabad, women black and blue.
MANU/BH/0148/2002
4. In Re: Suo Motu Contempt against V.C. & Reg. of The court in this case initiated Suo
V.K.S.U., moto contempt proceedings against
MANU/BH/1025/2009 the vice chancellor of the institution
for non-compliance with the
directions issues by the court.
5. In the matter of News reports published in the Times The court took up the matter Suo
of India, dated 26th June, 2006 Vs. The State of moto as public interest litigation in
Bihar &Ors., view of the amendment and addition
MANU/BH/0603/2006 of Section 436A in the Code of
Criminal Procedure, 1973, right to
bail to an under trial prisoner, which
came to be published in "The Times
of India”. This matter was initiated in
order to issue directions and take
measures for the effective and
efficient enforcement of the amended
provision.
6. Jai Kishun Singh Vs. Union of India (UOI) and The court in this case took Suo moto
Ors., cognizance on the basis of a news
MANU/BH/0006/2006 item that was published in the daily
newspaper "Hindustan Times"
alleging that many undeserving and
ineligible persons are receiving
freedom fighters pension.
 7. Suo Motu action by the High Court in a matter The court took Suo moto cognizance
relating to Fresh Water Dolphin Vs. The State of in this matter on the issue that the
Bihar and Ors., Gangetic Dolphin found within the
MANU/BH/0906/2001 territory of Bihar in the river Ganges
and its tributaries are endangered.
8. Suo Motu action by the High Court Vs. State of The court in this case Suo moto
Bihar and Ors., issued orders to the state government
MANU/BH/0432/2001 to prepare a list of list of Mukhiyas
who may have been convicted of an
offence, or were inherently
disqualified under law so as not to be
the members of Panchayats.
9. High Court Legal Aid Committee Vs. State of Bihar The court Suo moto initiated this
and Ors., petition in order to comply with the
MANU/BH/0652/2011 direction issued by Supreme Court in
the decision of Sheela Barse v. Union
of India and Anr. to High Court to
protect and improve the conditions of
the non-criminal, mentally
challenged women illegally
incarcerated in the jail.
10. In the matter of initiating contempt proceeding in The court took Suo moto cognizance
connection with obstruction of Court of Justice at of the matter in this case and initiated
Civil Court, Patna City Vs. Gopal Prasad Singh and contempt proceedings where a
Ors., section of lawyers obstructed and
MANU/BH/0072/2014 virtually paralyzed the normal
functioning of the Patna City Civil
Court. No judicial work was
permitted to be conducted by the civil
court.

PUNJAB AND HARYANA HIGH COURT

S. No. Case Subject Matter

1. Court On Its Own Motion Vs. A.J. Philip, The court initiated Suo moto
 MANU/PH/0941/2004 contempt proceedings against a
newspaper in relation to publication
of an incorrect news item regarding
inclusion of name of a High Court
Judge in an FIR which was
considered as an attempt to cast
aspersions on the High Court as an
Institution to bring it to disrepute and
lower its prestige in the mind of
public.
2. Court on its Own Motion Vs. B.I.S. Chahal, The court in this case initiated Suo
MANU/PH/0957/2009 moto contempt proceedings in
relation to the contemnor, the then
Joint Secretary of the Sports
Department, who interfered and used
his influence and successfully stalled
production of the original records of
the Sports Department before the
Court.
3. Court on its Own Motion Vs. ManeeshChibber, The court in this matter Suo moto
Senior Correspondent, Hindustan Times Ltd., initiated contempt proceedings
MANU/PH/0658/2004 against the correspondent of
Hindustan Times in relation to an
attempt to spread rumours against the
sitting judge of the high court and to
tarnish his image.
4. Court on its own Motion Vs. Ajay Bansal and Ors., The court initiated Suo moto
MANU/PH/0185/2004 contempt proceedings on the basis of
new item published in the Times of
India and in Hari Bhoomi, in relation
to undermining and tarnishing the
authority and the image of the high
court.
5. Court On Its Own Motion Vs. State of Punjab and The court Suo moto registered Suo
Others, moto this writ petition on the matter
MANU/PH/1011/2012 of a large number of convicts who
 were granted parole and same
jumped the parole.
6. Court On its Own Motion Vs. Rachpal Singh, The court initiated this contempt
MANU/PH/0526/2011 petition Suo moto on the basis of a
news item appearing in the edition of
Tribune, which referred to the
conduct of the alleged contemnor
with regard to flashing a pistol in the
Court of Judicial Magistrate Ist Class,
Gidderbaha, while facing trial as an
accused.
7. Court on its own Motion Vs. State of Haryana, The current case was registered by
MANU/PH/0965/2011 the court Suo moto pertaining to FIR,
six cases were registered against a
juvenile-accused in Delhi and out of
six cases, juvenile accused has
already been discharged in four cases
and has been acquitted in one case
and in the sixth case, he was found
guilty and was sentenced to the
period already undergone. The
question was with regard to bail to
the said juvenile.
8. Court on its Own Motion Vs. Malook Singh, The court in this case initiated Suo
MANU/PH/0415/2013 moto contempt proceedings for
violation of notice of the interim stay
granted by the court whereby the
person whose arrest had been stayed,
was taken into custody.
9. Court on its own Motion Vs. State of Haryana and The court registered Suo moto writ
others, petition in this case on the basis of a
MANU/PH/2488/2011 note of a Single Judge of this Court
in which the judge after having
inspected the Central Jail at Sonepat,
during the course of the annual
inspection, had suggested that
 telephone/STD facilities in the jail
premises be provided to the inmates
on the same lines as provided in
Tihar Jail, Delhi.
10. Court on its own Motion Vs. State of Punjab, The Court took Suo moto cognizance
MANU/PH/0090/2011 of a news item appearing in
Hindustan times highlighting that
SHO of Police Station was found
guilty in a judicial enquiry for
custodial death on account of
poisoning in Police Station.
11. Court on its own motion Vs. State of Punjab, The court Suo moto placed this
MANU/PH/2562/2014 petition as a Public Interest Litigation
after a Suo moto notice was taken by
a Single Judge about the pathetic and
horrible sanitation conditions,
defacement and destruction of public
property by the residents of
Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali.
This Court after seeing various
photographs, which appeared in the
"Daily Chandigarh" issued the
proceedings.
12. Court on its own motion Vs. State of Punjab and The court in this case took up Suo
Ors., moto the writ petition based on the
MANU/PH/1869/2010 notice of a single judge who while
hearing the criminal appeals noticed
that in some of the cases, the
remissions were granted to the
convicts more than the actual
sentence they had undergone, he
further noticed that the convicts had
been allowed remissions even in
heinous cases in a very
casual/liberal/lackadaisical manner.
The note of the Single Judge was
 placed before the then Chief Justice
after which Suo moto notice of the
matter was taken.
13. Court on its own motion Vs. State of Punjab The court took up Suo moto
AND cognizance in this case based on two
Hemant Goswami and Another Vs. Union of India new items depicting appalling
and Others conditions of the Children Homes run
AND by the Department of Women and
The National Commission for the Protection of Children and the Observation Homes
Child Rights (NCPCR) Vs. The State of Haryana run by the Department of Social
and Others, Security. The court took up this issue
MANU/PH/0599/2013 in relation to the proper and effective
implementation of the provisions of
the Juvenile Justice (Care and
Protection of Children) Act, 2000.
14. Court on its own motion Vs. U.T., Chandigarh and The court Suo moto registered this
others, PIL on the basis of a noteof the then
MANU/PH/0885/2012 Administrative Judge, Chandigarh
Division with regard to the
investigations remaining pending
beyond 60/90 days resulting in a
situation where the accused in such
cases are still languishing in jails. A
list of 58 cases where investigations
have not been completed was
enclosed with the note.
15. Rampal Singh Tomar Vs. State of Haryana and The court registered this case Suo
Ors., moto on the direction of the chief
MANU/PH/0790/2015 justice on the basis of a complaint
received by him that the petitioner's
son had not committed suicide as it
was made out to be, but it was a case
of homicide. The complaint alleged
that there were several circumstances
in the case which were not properly
investigated.
 RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT

S. No. Case Subject Matter

1. Rajasthan High Court Advocate Association and The court in this case Suo moto
Anr. Vs. State of Rajasthan and Ors., registered the public interest petition
MANU/RH/1382/2009 for questioning the continued
lawlessness in colleges and
universities during student's union
elections.
2. Suo Motu Vs. State of Rajasthan and Ors., The court in this case initiated the
MANU/RH/0318/2005 public interest petition Suo moto with
regard to the depiction of women in
an undignified manner by the media
and the television channels.
3. Suo Moto Vs. Rajasthan University and Ors., The court registered this petition Suo
MANU/RH/1076/2007 moto on the basis of a report that the
University Teacher’s i.e. Professors,
Associate Professors, Assistant
Professors and teacher who are
entitle to pension and other
retirement benefits on attaining age
of superannuation, are likely to be in
trouble because Pension Funds of the
Universities are drastically
squeezing.
4. Suo Moto Vs. State and Ors., The court Suo moto took cognizance
MANU/RH/1331/2009 in this matter. This matter pertains to
famous Amer Fort and palace which
was declared as a protected
monument under the provisions of
the Rajasthan Monuments and
Archaeological Sites and Antiquities
Act, 1961. A mishap of falling of
wall causing injuries to the people
 took place while film shooting was
going on, film shooting was instantly
stayed for the purpose of knowing
about the work performed in the
protected monument and other
aspects.
5. Suo Moto Vs. State of Rajasthan, The court took Suo moto cognizance
MANU/RH/0097/2005 in this matter wherein the regional
Newspapers reported about an
incident of rape on a foreign lady
tourist.
6. Suo Moto Vs. State of Rajasthan, The court took Suo moto cognizance
MANU/RH/0034/2007 of this matter on the basis of news
flashed in various newspapers
regarding rape of a German lady
tourist by an auto rickshaw driver.
7. Suo Motu Vs. Mahendra Kumar Sharma, The court initiated Suo moto
MANU/RH/0304/2007 contempt proceedings against the
Deputy Registrar (Judicial) in
relation to non-compliance of the
orders passed by the court.
8. Suo Motu Vs. State of Rajasthan and Ors., The court took up the Present petition
MANU/RH/0426/2004 Suo moto in relation to the issue of
cleanliness of the Jaipur city which
has since been suffering from a
number of problems.
9. The State of Rajasthan Vs. Hem Raj Jain, The court initiated Suo moto
MANU/RH/0607/2000 contempt petition against the
petitioner in this case for his
representation to the Chief Minister
and the Law Minister of Rajasthan, in
which he made baseless, malicious
and scandalous allegations against
Rajasthan Judiciary.
10. Retired Agriculture Lecturers Employees of The court initiated this Suo moto writ
Agriculture UniversityVs.State of Rajasthan and petition on the basis of news item
 Ors., that appeared in a daily newspaper
MANU/RH/0819/2010'); 'Rajasthan Patrika' under caption
"SewanivrataKrishi Shikshak-
Karmchari Do Maaha Se Pareshan -
1100 Ko Pension Nahi" in relation to
the retired personnel of various
categories who haven’t been granted
pension.
11. Suo Moto Vs. Bharat Bhushan Pareek, The court took up this matter Suo
MANU/RH/0522/2014'); moto in relation to call of strike given
by the Bar Associations at the
District Court, Jaipur and the High
Court, the judicial work in all courts
at Jaipur, including at the High Court
and many other courts outside the
Jaipur, hampered and paralysed for
one week due to the same.
12. Suo Moto Vs. Respondent: Manoj Sharma And anr., The court initiated Suo moto
MANU/RH/0812/2013 contempt proceedings on account of
the disruption of judicial proceedings
by the contemnor.
13. Suo Motu Vs. State of Rajasthan, The court in this case took
MANU/RH/0357/2012 cognizance of the matter Suo moto
taking note of alarming situation of
water scarcity in the city of Jaipur
focused in the newspapers indicating
reasons for premature death of
Ramgarh dam. It was not due to
natural disaster but on account of
large scale inaction on the part of the
State Government coupled with
illegal acts of others.
14. Suo Motu Vs. State of Rajasthan and Ors., The court took Suo moto cognizance
MANU/RH/1461/2014 of the matter based on the news item
published in English Newspaper
"The Times of India" (Jaipur edition)

15. Suo Motu Vs. State of Rajasthan and Ors.,
MANU/RH/0888/2010
with a title "Dirty lakes, dead fish
mark end of festive season"
appeared, giving details of the ills
suffered by the lakes of Udaipur city
due to ignorance of the residents of
the city.
The court took Suo moto cognizance
on this matter on de-acquisition of
the land of Prithviraj Nagar Scheme
at Jaipur. The aforesaid cognizance
was taken in the light of the fact that
earlier the State Government took a
decision to acquire vast chunk of land
for planned development of the
scheme named as Prithviraj Nagar
Yojna, when the said acquisition was
challenged, through appeal it went till
the apex court which held it to be
valid, even after that the land was de-
aquired.

SIKKIM HIGH COURT

S. No. Case Subject Matter

1. In Re: Writer Constable 1626 The court initiated Suo moto criminal
DamberBahadurChhetri and Ors., revision proceedings under orders of
MANU/SI/0006/2000 the Chief Justice in exercise under
Section 397 read with Section 401 of
the CRPC, 1973 questioning legality
of the Judgment of conviction.
2. K.S. Gurung Vs. Ramananda Prasad and Anr., The court initiated Suo moto criminal
MANU/SI/0007/2000 revision proceedings under orders of
the Chief Justice for correctness,
legality and propriety of the order.
3. State of Sikkim Vs. Buglar Muslim, The court initiated Suo moto criminal
 ANU/SI/0007/2001 revision proceedings for checking the
correctness, legality and propriety of
the order.
4. State of Sikkim Vs. Deepen Rai and Ors., The court initiated Suo moto criminal
MANU/SI/0009/2000 revision proceedings for checking the
correctness, legality and propriety of
the order.
5. State of Sikkim Vs. TekBahadurTamang and Anr., The court initiated Suo moto criminal
MANU/SI/0012/2000 revision proceedings for checking the
correctness, legality and propriety of
the order.
6. Suo Moto Vs. The Secretary, Ministry of Surface The court took Suo moto cognizance
Transport, Department of Road Transport and and initiated this Public Interest
Highways, Government of India and Ors., Litigation on the basis of the widely
MANU/SI/0031/2010 reported news in relation to the poor
conditions of the National Highway
31-A, the North Sikkim Highway and
the Gangtok-Nathula Road
(Jawaharlal Nehru Marg) that had
persisted for a considerable period of
time causing grave inconvenience for
the smooth movement of traffic.

UTTARAKHAND HIGH COURT

No cases of Suo mot cognizance/action.

LEVEL II ANALYSIS:

S. No. Courts Number of Contempt Public Revision Any other

Suo moto Proceedings Interest Petition
action cases Petition
1. Supreme Court 16 9 6 - 1
2. Allahabad High Court 13 7 5 1 -
3. Andhra Pradesh High 10 7 3 - -
Court
4. Bombay High Court 17 10 6 - 1
5. Calcutta High Court 4 4 - - -
6. Chhattisgarh High - - - - -
Court
7. Delhi High Court 21 7 10 - 4
8. Guwahati High Court 3 2 1 - -
9. Gujarat High Court 6 3 3 - -
10. Himachal Pradesh 11 - 10 - 1
High Court
11. Jammu and Kashmir - - - - -
High Court
12. Jharkhand High Court 17 3 10 2 2
13. Karnataka High Court 7 3 3 - 1
14. Kerala High Court 4 3 1 - -
15. Madhya Pradesh High 1 - 1 - -
Court
16. Tamil Nadu (Madras) 22 11 2 6 3
High Court
17. Manipur High Court - - - - -
18. Meghalaya High Court - - - - -
19. Tripura High Court 1 - - 1 -
20. Orissa High Court 5 3 1 1 -
21. Patna High Court 10 4 3 - 3
22. Punjab and Haryana 15 6 3 1 5
 High Court
23. Rajasthan High Court 15 3 11 - 1
24. Sikkim High Court 6 - 1 5 -
25. Uttarakhand High - - - - -
Court
LEVEL III ANALYSIS

SUPREME COURT

0%
6%

Contempt
38%
56% Public Interest Petition
Revision Petition
Any other

ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT

0%
8%

Contempt
38% 54% Public Interest Petition
Revision Petition
Any other
 ANDHRA PRADESH HIGH COURT

0% 0%

30%
Contempt
Public Interest Petition
70% Revision Petition
Any other

BOMBAY HIGH COURT

0%
6%

35% Contempt
59% Public Interest Petition
Revision Petition
Any other
 CALCUTTA HIGH COURT

0%

Contempt
Public Interest Petition
Revision Petition
100%
Any other

DELHI HIGH COURT

0% 19% Contempt
33%
Public Interest Petition
Revision Petition
48% Any other
 GUJARAT HIGH COURT

0% 0%

Contempt
50% 50%
Public Interest Petition
Revision Petition
Any other

HIMACHAL PRADESH HIGH COURT

0% 0%
9%
Contempt
Public Interest Petition
91%
Revision Petition
Any other
 JHARKHAND HIGH COURT

12% 17%
12%
Contempt
Public Interest Petition
Revision Petition
59%
Any other

KARNATAKA HIGH COURT

0%
14%
43% Contempt
Public Interest Petition
43%
Revision Petition
Any other
 MADRAS HIGH COURT

14%
Contempt
27% 50%
Public Interest Petition
Revision Petition
9%
Any other

ORISSA HIGH COURT

17%
Contempt
17% 50%
Public Interest Petition
16% Revision Petition
Any other
 PATNA HIGH COURT

30%
40%
Contempt
Public Interest Petition
Revision Petition
30%
0%
Any other

PUNJAB AND HARYANA HIGH COURT

33% 40%
Contempt
Public Interest Petition
7% Revision Petition
20%
Any other
 RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT

0%
7% 20%
Contempt
Public Interest Petition
73% Revision Petition
Any other

SIKKIM HIGH COURT

0% 0%

17%
Contempt
Public Interest Petition
83% Revision Petition
Any other