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In force Central Act No. 59 of 1985

The Judges (Protection) Act, 1985

An Act for securing additional protection for Judges and others acting Judicially and for matters connected therewith.

Enacted
6 September 1985
Ministry
Ministry of Law and Justice
Sections
4
Text retrieved
15 September 2026
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Unofficial text. This copy is for reference and has no legal authority. Check the Gazette of India before relying on it. View on India Code

Source and data quality
Source
India Code, Legislative Department (record 123456789/496478)
Retrieved
15 September 2026
Extraction method
sections
Quality score
1.000 out of 1

1. Short title and extent

(1)

This Act may be called the Judges (Protection) Act, 1985.

(2)

It extends to the whole of India ***.

Amendment notes (1)
  1. omitted . The words "except the State of Jammu and Kashmir" omitted by Act 34 of 2019, s. 95 and the Fifth Schedule (w.e.f. 31-10- 2019).

2. Definition

In this Act, "Judge" means not only every person who is officially designated as a Judge, but also every person—

(a)

who is empowered by law to give in any legal proceeding a definitive judgment, or a judgment which, if not appealed against, would be definitive, or a judgment which, if confirmed by some other authority, would be definitive; or

(b)

who is one of a body of persons which body of persons is empowered by law to give such a judgment as is referred to in clause (a).

3. Additional protection to Judges

(1)

Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force and subject to the provisions of sub-section (2), no court shall entertain or continue any civil or criminal proceeding against any person who is or was a Judge for any act, thing or word committed, done or spoken by him when, or in the course of, acting or purporting to act in the discharge of his official or judicial duty or function.

(2)

Nothing in sub-section (1) shall debar or affect in any manner the power of the Central Government or the State Government or the Supreme Court of India or any High Court or any other authority under any law for the time being in force to take such action (whether by way of civil, criminal, or departmental proceedings or otherwise) against any person who is or was a Judge.

4. Saving

The provisions of this Act shall be in addition to, and not in derogation of, the provisions of any other law for the time being in force providing for protection of Judges.