Paramasothy v. Delgoda and Another – sllr 1981 volume 2 page 489

In the case between the Petitioner (Plaintiff in a divorce case) and Delgoda and Another (Respondents, including the District Judge as the 2nd Respondent), the court addressed the legality of imposing a sentence of rigorous imprisonment for contempt of court under section 388(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act. The court held that only a fine is permissible under the cited provision when contempt is dealt with on the same day of the incident and that the power to impose substantive imprisonment requires observance of stricter procedural guarantees. The decision reaffirmed the principle that contempt matters must adhere closely to statutory procedures, and any sentence exceeding statutory limits is unlawful. This determination referenced relevant sections of the Code of Criminal Proce