Section 33 of The Special Marriage Act, 1954
1[33. Proceedings to be in camera and may not be printed or published.-- (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.]
Summary
- Every court proceeding under this Act must be held in camera, which means in private behind closed doors.
- Printing or publishing any details about these private court proceedings is strictly illegal for everyone.
- The only exception is that judgments of the High Court or the Supreme Court can be printed or published with the court's prior permission.
- Anyone who illegally prints or publishes details of these proceedings can be fined up to one thousand rupees.
Practical examples
FAQ
1. Are court cases under the Special Marriage Act, 1954 open to the public?
No, under Section 33 of the Special Marriage Act, 1954, all proceedings must be conducted in camera, which means in private, and the general public is not allowed to attend.
2. Can news channels publish details of divorce cases under the special marriage law?
No, under Section 33 of the Special Marriage Act, 1954, it is unlawful for any person to print or publish any matter relating to these proceedings, unless it is a High Court or Supreme Court judgment published with prior permission.
3. What is the punishment for publishing private court details under the Special Marriage Act, 1954?
Under Section 33 of the Special Marriage Act, 1954, anyone who prints or publishes restricted information about the proceedings can be punished with a fine extending up to one thousand rupees.
4. Can a Supreme Court judgment about a case under the Special Marriage Act, 1954 be printed?
Yes, under Section 33 of the Special Marriage Act, 1954, judgments of the Supreme Court or a High Court can be printed or published if previous permission of that specific Court is obtained.
Test yourself
Q1.Under Section 33 of the Special Marriage Act, 1954, what does the term "in camera" mean regarding court proceedings?
Q2.Under Section 33 of the Special Marriage Act, 1954, what is the maximum penalty for a person who unlawfully prints or publishes details of a private matrimonial proceeding?
Q3.Under Section 33 of the Special Marriage Act, 1954, which of the following is the ONLY matter related to a proceeding that can be lawfully printed or published?
Q4.Under Section 31, Section 32, and Section 33 of the Special Marriage Act, 1954, if a husband files a divorce petition containing allegations of cruelty, which of the following actions is legally permitted?