There is nothing in the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 or in Article 215 of the Constitution “which empowered High Court to initiate proceedings suo-motu for the contempt of a superior Court like the Supreme Court of India.”

Vitusah Oberoi and Ors. v. Court of its own motion [Criminal Appeal No. 1234 of 2007],

It was held that there is nothing in the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 or in Article 215 of the Constitution “which can be said to empower the High Court to initiate proceedings suo-motu or otherwise for the contempt of a superior Court like the Supreme Court of India.” It was observed that “one of the recognised attributes of a court of record is the power to punish for its contempt and the contempt of courts subordinate to it. That is precisely why Articles 129 and 215, while declaring the Supreme Court and the High Courts as Courts of Record, recognise the power vested in them to punish for their own contempt. The use of the expression “including” in the said provisions is explanatory in character. It signifies that the Supreme Court and the High Courts shall, as Courts of Records, exercise all such powers as are otherwise available to them including the power to punish for their own contempt.”