Lawmaking by Parliament or legislatures is not contemptible:  SC

• The Supreme Court ruled that any law made by Parliament or a State legislature cannot be held to contempt of court.

• The decision was made during a 2012 contempt plea filed by sociologist Nandini Sundar and others.

• The plea alleged the Chhattisgarh government’s failure to comply with its 2011 directions to stop support to vigilante groups and arm tribals in the name of special police officers (SPOs) in the fight against Maoists.

• The Chhattisgarh government legislated the Chhattisgarh Auxiliary Armed Police Force Act, 2011, which authorized an auxiliary armed force to assist security forces in dealing with Maoist violence.

• The court also ruled that the State government has not vacated all school buildings and ashrams from the occupation of the security forces and has not compensated the victims of Salwa Judum and SPOs.

• The court emphasized the need for “specific steps” to bring peace and rehabilitation in the affected areas through coordinated measures of the State and the Central government.