Library/HMA/Section 22
Section 22BailableProcedural

Proceedings to be in camera and may not be printed or published

Full Text

(1) Every proceeding under this Act shall be conducted in camera and it shall not be lawful for any person to print or publish any matter in relation to any such proceeding except a judgment of the High Court or of the Supreme Court printed or published with the previous permission of the Court.

(2) If any person prints or publishes any matter in contravention of the provisions contained in sub-section (1), he shall be punishable with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees.

Plain English Summary

Mandates in-camera proceedings for all matrimonial matters and strictly prohibits unauthorized printing or publishing of proceedings under penalty of a fine up to Rs. 1,000.

Key Legal Elements

  • Matrimonial proceedings must be conducted strictly in camera
  • Absolute bar on printing or publishing details of proceedings without prior permission of High Court or Supreme Court
  • Contravention is punishable with a fine extending up to one thousand rupees

Punishment

Fine which may extend to one thousand rupees

Practical Note

Protects the matrimonial privacy of parties from public scrutiny and media exposure. Family courts must conduct hearings in camera, and reporting intimate marital allegations without court leave is an offence under sub-section (2).

हिंदी पाठ

(1) इस अधिनियम के अधीन प्रत्येक कार्यवाही बंद कमरे (in camera) में की जाएगी और किसी भी व्यक्ति के लिए ऐसी किसी कार्यवाही के संबंध में किसी बात को मुद्रित या प्रकाशित करना विधिपूर्ण नहीं होगा, सिवाय उच्च न्यायालय या उच्चतम न्यायालय के ऐसे निर्णय के जो न्यायालय की पूर्व अनुमति से मुद्रित या प्रकाशित किया गया हो।

(2) यदि कोई व्यक्ति उपधारा (1) में अन्तर्विष्ट उपबन्धों के उल्लंघन में किसी बात को मुद्रित या प्रकाशित करेगा, तो वह जुर्माने से, जो एक हजार रुपये तक का हो सकेगा, दंडनीय होगा।