Contempt appealability is limited to final or ative orders; mere notice initiating proceedings is not appealable as of right.

The statutory appeal under Section 19(1) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 is confined to an order or decision made in the High Court's exercise of jurisdiction to punish for contempt. A mere notice or order initiating contempt proceedings under Section 17 does not determine any rights or conclusively decide any contention of the alleged contemner, and therefore does not attract an appeal as of right. Interlocutory steps in contempt proceedings are not independently appealable; only a final order, or an earlier order that conclusively resolves a dispute raised by the alleged contemner, is appealable. An order merely commencing proceedings is thus not maintainable in appeal under Section 19(1).

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Issues: Whether an appeal under Section 19(1) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 lies from an order merely issuing notice and initiating contempt proceedings.

Analysis: The statutory right of appeal under Section 19(1) is confined to an order or decision made in the exercise of the High Court's jurisdiction to punish for contempt. A mere order issuing notice under Section 17 starts the proceeding but does not decide any question or determine any contention affecting the rights of the alleged contemner. The right of appeal cannot extend to every interlocutory step in contempt proceedings. Only an order that finally decides the matter, or at an earlier stage conclusively determines a dispute raised by the alleged contemner, can be appealable as of right. An order initiating proceedings, without more, is therefore not an appealable order under Section 19(1).

Conclusion: The appeal was not maintainable under Section 19(1) and was incompetent.

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