Section 17:
Procedure after cognizance.
(1) Notice of every proceeding under section l5 shall be served
personally on the person charged, unless the Court for reasons to be recorded directs otherwise.
(2) The notice shall be accompanied,—
(a) in the case of proceedings commenced on a motion, by a copy of the motion as also copies of
the affidavits, if any, on which such motion is founded; and
(b) in case of proceedings commenced on a reference by a subordinate court, by a copy of the
reference.
(3) The Court may, if it is satisfied that a person charged under section 15 is likely to abscond or keep
out of the way to avoid service of the notice, order the attachment of his property of such value or amount
as it may deem reasonable.
(4) Every attachment under sub-section (3) shall be effected in the manner provided in the Code of
Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), for the attachment of property in execution of a decree for payment of
money, and if, after such attachment, the person charged appears and shows to the satisfaction of the
Court that he did not abscond or keep out of the way to avoid service of the notice, the Court shall order
the release of his property from attachment upon such terms as to costs or otherwise as it may think fit.
(5) Any person charged with contempt under section 15 may file an affidavit in support of his
defence, and the Court may determine the matter of the charge either on the affidavits filed or after taking
such further evidence as may be necessary, and pass such order as the justice of the case requires.