Interpretation of Statutes final Print

7/25/2019 Interpretation of Statutes final Print

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NOTES ON INTERPRETATION OF STATUTES BY: Prof.

ANANYA R. BIBAVE

1. INTERPRETATION OF STATUTES

SYLLABUS

A. Introduction-

1. Meaning and objects of Interpretation

B. General Principles of Interpretation-

1. Literal Rule

2. Golden Rule

3. Miscief Rule

!. "tatute #ust be read as a $ole in its conte%t

&. "tatute to be construed to #a'e it effecti(e and $or'able

). *#issions not to be inferred

+. ,(er $ord in a statute to be gi(en a #eaning

. Internal Aids to construction-

1. Prea#ble

2. /efinition "ections

3. 0eading

!. Marginal otes

&. Punctuation

). Illustrations

+. Pro(iso

. ,%planation

. "cedules

/. ,%ternal Aids to construction

1. Parlia#entar 0istor2. 0istorical facts and surrounding circu#stances

3. "ocial4 Political and econo#ic de(elop#ents

!. Reference to oter statutes

&. Contemporanea expositioand oter e%ternal aids

). odifing statutes and consolidating statutes

,. "ubsidiar Rules

1. "a#e $ord sa#e #eaning

2. 5se of different $ords

3. Rule of last antecedent


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!. Non Obstanteclause

&. Legal fiction

). Mandator and director pro(isions

+. onjuncti(e and disjuncti(e $ords 6or7 8 6and7

. onstruction of general $ords-

a. Noscitur a socius

b. Rule of ejusdem generis

c. Reddendo singula singulis

9. Interpretation of "tatutes affecting jurisdiction of courts-

1. General Principles

2. :e e%tent of e%clusion

3. ,%clusion of jurisdiction of superior courts

G. Interpretation of Penal and :a%ing "tatutes-

1. Rule of construction of ta%ing statutes

2. General principles of strict construction

3. Li#its of te rule of strict construction

!. Mens reain statutor offences and Indian Penal ode

&. ;icarious liabilit in statutor offences

0. Interpretation of Re#edial "tatutes-

1. /istinction bet$een re#edial and penal statutes

2. Liberal construction of re#edial statutes

I. *peration of "tatutes-

1. o##ence#ent

2. Retrospecti(e operation

. Interpretation of onstitutional /ocu#ents-

1. Rules of interpretation of constitutional docu#ents as de(eloped b te

courts of India

L. General lauses Act4 1+


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INTRODUCTION

MEANING AND OBJECT OF INTERPRETATION:

,nacted la$s4 especiall te #odern Acts and Rules4 are drafted b legal e%perts

and it could be e%pected tat te language used $ill lea(e little roo# for interpretation or

construction. :e age-old process of application of te enacted la$ as led to for#ulate te

certain rules of interpretation or construction. ?B interpretation or construction is #eant te

process b $ic te courts see' to ascertain te #eaning of te Legislature troug te

#ediu# of autoritati(e for#s in $ic it is e%pressed@- sas "al#ond.

A statute is an edict of te Legislature ;isnu Pratap "ugar or's CP(t.D Ltd. (.

ief Inspector of "ta#p4 5.P.4 1)E and te con(entional $a of interpretation or

construing a statute is to see' te ?intention@ of its #a'er. A statute is to be construed

accordingl 6to te intent of te# tat #a'e it7 R.M./. a#arbaug$ala (. 5nion of India4

1&+E and ?te dut of judicature is to act upon te true intention of te legislature-te #ens

or sentential legis@ C"al#ond ?


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:e intention of te Legislature assi#ilates t$o aspectsF In one aspect it carries te

concept of 6#eaning7 i.e. $at te $ords #ean and in anoter aspect4 it con(es te concept

of 6purpose and object7 or te 6reason and spirit7 per(ading troug te statute. :e purpose

of interpretation4 terefore4 co#bines bot literal and purposi(e approaces. In oter $ords

te legislati(e intention i.e. te true or legal #eaning of an enact#ent is deri(ed b

considering te #eaning of te $ords used in te enact#ent in te ligt of an discernible

purpose or object $ic co#preends te #iscief and its re#ed to $ic te enact#ent

is directed. "tatute of 0i#acal Prades (. >ailas and Maajan4 12E. :is for#ulation

as no$ recei(ed te appro(al of te "upre#e ourt and as been called te ?ardinal

principle of construction@ 5nion of India (. ,lpinstone "pinning and ea(ing o. Ltd.4

21E

:e #eaning of te e%pression 6intention of te Legislature7 is e%plained in anoter

for# b Lord atson in an often =uoted passage $ere e called it a 6slipper pase7 and

saidF ?In a court of la$ or e=uit4 $at te legislature intended to be done or not to be done

can onl be legiti#atel ascertained fro# tat $ic it as intended to or cosen to enact4

eiter in e%press $ords or b reasonable and necessar i#plication@ Aaron "olo#on and

o. Ltd. case4 1+E. But te $ole of $at is enacted ?b necessar i#plication@ can ardl

be deter#ined $itout 'eeping in #ind te purpose or object of te statute "tate of Punjab

(. *'ara Grain Buers "ndicate Ltd.4 1)!E. :is for#ulation terefore does not in effect

reject te concept of ?purpose@ but contains te sa#e $itin te i#port of te prase

?necessar i#plication@.

:e rules of interpretation are not rules of la$ and are not to be applied li'e te rules

enacted b te Legislature in an interpretation Act "uperintendent and Re#e#brancer of

Legal Affairs4 est Bengal (. orporation of alcutta4 1)+E. :e ser(e as guides and suc

of te# $ic ser(e no useful purpose no$ can be rejected b courts and ne$ rules can be

e(ol(ed in teir place CibidD. B boldl rejecting out#oded rules4 b substituting4 if necessar

ne$ rules in teir place CibidD and b a(oiding unnecessar generaliHation >ear "ing (."tate4 1E te superior can elp in tas' of realiHation of te rules. In appling te rules it

#ust be 'ept in te (ie$ tat te rules are not binding in te ordinar sense li'e legislation

?te are our ser(ants and not #asters. :e are aids to interpretation4 presu#ptions and

pointers. ot infre=uentl one rule points in one direction4 anoter in a different direction. In

eac case $e #ust loo' at all rele(ant circu#stances and decided as #atter of judg#ent

$at $eigt to attac to an particular rule.@ Maunsel (. *lins4 1+&E

An intelligent application of te rules and te solution in eac real difficult depends

upon te indi(idual s'ill of a judge. B co#bining 'no$ledge4 $isdo# and e%perience great


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judges de(elop te instinct of finding out tat solution $ic ar#oniHe te $ords in te

polic or object beind te#.


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GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF INTERPRETATION

LITERAL RULE:

:e $ords of a statute are first understood in teir natural4 ordinar or popular sense

and prases and sentences are construed according to teir gra##atical #eaning4 unless

tat leads to so#e absurdit or unless tere is so#eting in te conte%t4 or in te object of

te statute to suggest te contrar ra$ford (. "pooner4 1!)E. ?:e true $a@ according to

Lord Brouga#4 ?to ta'e te $ords as te legislature a(e gi(en te#4 and to ta'e te

#eaning $ic te $ords eiter b prea#ble or b te conte%t of te $ords in =uestion4

controlled or altered@ CibidD and in te $ords of ;iscount 0aldane L..4 if te language used

?as a natural #eaning $e cannot depart fro# tat #eaning unless4 reading te statute as

$ole4 te conte%t directs us to do so@ Attorne General (. Milne4 11&E. In an oft =uoted

passage4 Lord ensledale stated te rule tat4 ?In construing $ill and indeed statutes and

all $ritten instru#ents4 te gra##atical and ordinar sense of te $ord is adered to4 unless

tat $ould lead to so#e absurdit or so#e repugnance or inconsistenc $it te rest of te

instru#ent in $ic case te gra##atical and ordinar sense of te $ords #a be #odified4

so as to a(oid tat absurdit4 and inconsistenc4 but no furter@Gre (. Pearson41&+E. And

stated Lord At'insonF ?In te construction of statutes4 teir $ords #ust be interpreted in teir

ordinar gra##atical sense unless tere be so#eting in te conte%t4 or in te object of te

statute in $ic te occur or in te circu#stances in $ic te are used4 to so$ tat te

$ere used in a special sense different fro# teir ordinar gra##atical sense.@orporation

of te it of ;ictoria (. Bisop of ;ancou(er Island4 121E ;iscount "i#on L..4 saidF ?:e

golden rule is tat te $ords of a statute #ust pri#a facie be gi(en teir ordinar #eaning.@

o'es (. /oncaster A#alga#ated ollieries Ltd.4 1!E

GOLDEN RULE:

9or a #odern state#ent of te rule Ci.e. literal rule to golden ruleD one #a refer to

te speec of Lord "i#on of Glaisdale in a case $ere e saidF ?Parlia#ent is pri#a facie to

be credited $it #eaning $at is said in an act of Parlia#ent. :e drafting of statutes4 so

i#portant to a people $o ope to li(e under te rule of la$4 $ill ne(er be satisfactor unless

courts see' $ene(er possible to appl te 6golden rule7 of construction4 tat is to read te

statutor language4 gra##aticall and ter#inologicall4 in te ordinar and pri#ar sense

$ic it bears in its CconstructionD conte%t4 $itout o#ission or addition. *f course4


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Parlia#ent is to be credited $it good sense so tat $en suc an approac produces

injustice4 absurdit4 contradiction or stultification of statutor objecti(e te language #a be

#odified sufficientl to a(oid suc disad(antage4 toug no furter@ "utendran (.

I##igration Appeal :ribunal4 1+)E

In dealing $it *rder 214 Rule 1) of te ode of i(il Procedure4 1 ". R. /as4


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case $as decided tat for te sure and true interpretation of all statutes in general Cbe te

penal or beneficial4 restricti(e or enlarging of te co##on la$D four tings are to be

discerned and consideredF

1st

- at $as te co##on la$ before te #a'ing of te Act4

2nd- at $as te #iscief and defect for $ic te co##on la$ did not pro(ide4

3rd- at re#ed te Parlia#ent at resol(ed and appointed to cure te disease of te

co##on$ealt4

!t- :e true reason of te re#edF

and ten te office of all te judges is al$as to #a'e suc construction as sall suppress

te #iscief4 and ad(ance te re#ed4 and to suppress subtle in(entions and e(asions for

continuance of te #iscief4 andpro privatio commodo4 and to add force and life to te cure

and re#ed4 according to te intent of te #a'ers of te Act4 pro bono publico@. :e

"upre#e ourt in tis case applied te rule in construction of Article 2) of te onstitution.

After referring to te state of la$ pre(ailing in te pro(inces prior to te onstitution as also

to te caos and confusion tat $as brougt about in inter-state trade and co##erce b

indiscri#inate e%ercise of ta%ing po$ers b te different pro(inces legislatures founded on

te teor of territorial ne%us. :e rule $as again b te "upre#e ourt in si#ilar conte%t

$ile construing te canges brougt about b te onstitution !) t A#end#ent Act in

Goodear India Ltd. (. "tate of 0arana4 1.

An illustration of te application of te rules is also furnised in te construction of

section 2CdD of te PriHe o#petition Act4 1&& defining te $ord ?PriHe o#petition@ in

RM/ a#aribaug$alla (. 5nion of India4 1&+. :e "upre#e ourt statedF ?0a(ing regard

to te istor of te legislation4 te declared object tereof and te $ording of te statute4

$e are of opinion tat te co#petitions $ic are sougt to be controlled and regulated b

te Act are onl tose co#petitions in $ic success does not depend on an substantial

degree of s'ill.@

STATUTE MUST BE READ AS A WHOLE IN ITS CONTEXT:

en te =uestion arises as to te #eaning of a certain pro(ision in a statute4 it is

not onl legiti#ate but proper to read tat pro(ision in its conte%t. :e state of te la$4 oter

statutes in pari materia4 te general scope of te statute and te #iscief tat it $asintended to re#ed. R. ". Ragunat (. "tate of >arnata'a4 12E :e state#ent of te rule


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$as recentl full adopted b te "upre#e ourt 5nion of India (. ,lpinstone "pinning and

ea(ing o. Ltd.4 21E

It is a rule no$ fir#l establised Pilips India Ltd. (. Labour ourt4 1&E tat te

intention of te Legislature #ust be found b reading te statute as a $ole. :e rule isreferred to as an ?ele#entar rule@ b ;iscount "i#onds A.G. (. 0R0 Prince ,rnest

Augustus4 1&+E a ?co#pelling rule@ b Lord "o#er(ell of 0arro$ CibidD and a ?settled rule@

b B. >. Mu'erjee4


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ine#a4 1)&E :e i#portance of te principle can be judged fro# te fact tat tere is

ardl an reported decision $ere a statute #a a(e been declared (oid for seer

(agueness4 altoug teoreticall it #a be possible to reac suc a conclusion in case of

?absolute intractabilit of te language used@ "al#ond (. /unco#be4 1)E4 or $en ?it is

i#possible to resol(e te a#biguit@ 9a$cett Properties (. Buc'inga# ount ouncil4

1)E4 i.e. $en te language is absolutel #eaningless :insu'ia ,lectric "uppl o. Ltd.

(. "tate of Assa#4 1E. Lord /enning appro(ing 9are$ell4


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to dis#iss its "ecretar b special resolution and te a#ended section pro(ided tat a

resolution of dis#issal $as not to ta'e effect till te e%pir of te period of appeal or till te

decision of appeal if it $as so presented. o corresponding a#end#ent $as #ade in

section $ic conferred a po$er to suspend te secretar 6pending in=uir into is

conduct or pending te orders of an autorities $ose sanction is necessar for is

dis#issal7 and it $as eld b te "upre#e ourt tat a suspension resol(ed under section

to be operati(e till te appeal against dis#issal $as decided4 $as ultra vireste po$ers

of te Board. Bag$ati4


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INTERNAL AIDS TO CONSTRUCTION

PREAMBLE:

:e role of prea#ble in interpretation cannot be curtailed or restricted. Prea#ble can

be an aid in constructing a pro(ision $en te pro(ision is a#biguous "ita /e(i (. "tate of

Biar4 1&E. It can afford useful assistance to ascertain legislati(e intention but cannot

control oter$ise te plain #eaning of a pro(ision L./.A. (. M. >. Gupta4 1!E

In te $ords of Lord or#and4 ?tere #a be no e%act correspondence bet$een

prea#ble and enact#ent4 and te enact#ent #a go beond4 or it #a fall sort of te

indications tat #a be gatered fro# te prea#ble. Again te prea#ble cannot be of #uc4

or an4 assistance in construing pro(isions $ic e#bod =ualifications or e%ceptions fro#

te operation of te general purpose of te Act. It is onl $en it con(es a clear and

definite #eaning in co#parison $it relati(el obscured or definite enacting $ords tat te

prea#ble #a legiti#atel pre(ail@ A.G.;.0R0 Prince ,rnest Augustus of 0ano(er4 1&+E

:e "upre#e ourt also enunciated te sa#e principle about te prea#bleF ?It is

one of te cardinal principle of construction tat $ere te language of an Act is clear4 te

prea#ble #ust be disregarded toug $ere te object of or #eaning of an enact#ent isnot clear4 te prea#ble #a be resorted to e%plain it. Again4 $ere (er general language is

used in an enact#ent $ic4 it is clear #ust be intended to a(e a li#ited application4 te

prea#ble #a be used to indicate to $at particular instances4 te enact#ent is intended to

appl. e cannot4 terefore4 start $it te prea#ble for construing te pro(isions of an Act4

toug $e could be justified in resorting to it4 and $e $ill be re=uired to do so4 if $e find te

language used b te Parlia#ent is a#biguous or is too general toug in point of fact

Parlia#ent intended tat it sould a(e a li#ited application@ Bura'ar oal o. Ltd. (. 5nion

of India4 1)1E

Retrospecti(el inserted prea#ble into an earlier act is not of #uc assistance for

gatering te intention of te original act. :e (ie$ of te G$er4 .


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because teir successors at te present da tin' tat te #igt or ougt to a(e ad it.@

Bola Prasad (. ,#peror4 1!2E

DEFINITION SECTIONS:

:e principle is tat all statutor definitions a(e to be read subject to be te

=ualifications (ariousl e%pressed in te definition clauses $ic created te# and it #a be

tat e(en $ere te definition is e%austi(e inas#uc as te $ord defined is said to #ean a

certain ting. It is possible for te $ord to a(e a so#e $at different #eaning in different

sections of te Act depending upon te subject or conte%t. :at is $ all definitions in

statutes generall begin $it te =ualifing $ords4 na#el4 ?unless tere is anting

repugnant in te subject or conte%t@. :us4 tere #a be sections in te Act $ere te

#eaning #a a(e to be departed fro# on account of te subject or conte%t in $ic te

$ord ad been used and tat $ill be gi(ing effect to te opening sentence in te definition

section4 na#el ?unless tere is anting repugnant in te subject or conte%t@. In (ie$ of tis

=ualification4 te court as not onl to loo' at te $ords relating to suc #atter and interpret

te #eaning intended to be con(eed b te use of te $ords ?under tose circu#stances@

irlpool orp. (. Registrar of :rade Mar's4 1E

ile interpreting a definition4 it as to be borne in #ind tat te interpretationplaced on it sould not onl be not repugnant to te conte%t4 it sould also be suc as $ould

aid te acie(e#ent of te purpose $ic is sougt to be ser(ed b te Act. A construction

$ic $ould defeat or $as li'el to defeat te purpose of te Act as to be ignored and not

accepted >.;. Mutu (. Anga#utu A##al4 1+E

:e definition contained in te definition clause of a particular statute sould be used

for te purpose of te Act. /efinition fro# an oter statute cannot be borro$ed and used

ignoring te definition contained in te statute itself.

A ter# or e%pression defined under a particular statute as its o$n scope or li#its.

"uc a definition sould not be eiter restricted or e%panded b i#porting ele#ents fro#

oter legal sste#s $en tere is no a#biguit in te definition. 9eroHe . /oti(ala (. P.M.

ad$ani4 23E

"o#eti#es a definition is di(ided into t$o parts- e%planator and e%pandator. en

te e%planator or te #ain part itself uses e%pressions of $ide a#plitude indicating clearl

its $ide s$eep4 ten its a#bit is $idened to suc tings $ic oter$ise $ould a(e been

beond its nor#al i#port. L/A (. M. >. Gupta4 1!E


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ere a $ord is an e%pression is defined b te legislature4 courts a(e to loo' to

tat definition te general understanding of it cannot be deter#inati(e. "ures Loia (.

"tate of Maarastra4 1)E :at e%pression or $ere(er it occurs in te Act4 rules or

notifications tere under4 sould be understood in te sa#e sense. Prestige ,ngineering

CIndiaD Ltd. (. ,4 1!E ,(en t$o si#ilar ter#s #a not #ean te sa#e ting if teir

definitions in t$o different statutes are at (ariance $it eac oter. 9eroHe . /oti(ala (. P.

M. ada$ani4 23E

:$o distinct definitions of a cognate $ord or e%pression in te sa#e enact#ent #ust

be understood accordingl in ter#s of te definition. "a#e $ord defined in te statute #a

not carr te sa#e #eaning troug out te statute. :e $ords $ic are used in declaring

te #eaning of oter $ords #a also need interpretation and te legislature #a use a $ord

in te sa#e statute in se(eral different senses. Indian 0andicrafts ,#poriu# (. 5nion of

India4 23E

HEADING:

0eadings are of t$o 'inds4 tose prefi%ed to a section and tose prefi%ed to a group

or set of sections. It is no$ settled tat te eadings can be preferred to in consisting an Act

of te Legislature.

In 9ric' India Ltd. (. 5nion of India C1D te "upre#e ourt obser(edF ?It is $ell

settled tat te eadings prefi%ed to sections or entries cannot control te plain $ords of te

pro(ision te cannot also be referred to for te purpose of construing te pro(ision $en

te $ords used in te pro(ision are clear and una#biguous nor can te be used for cutting

do$n te plain #eaning of te $ords in te pro(ision.

*nl in te case of a#biguit or doubt te eading or sub-eading #a be referred

to as an aid in construing te pro(ision but e(en in suc a case it could not be used for

cutting do$n te $ide application of te clear $ords used in te pro(ision.@

Anoter i#portant case is tat of Bin'a (. aran "ing C1&D in $ic te

respondent-landlord sougt to e(ict te tenant under section 1 of te 5.P. :enanc Act4

13. :e section reads tat ?a person ta'ing or retaining possession of a plot of land

$itout te consent of te person entitled to ad#it i# and oter$ise tan in accordance

$it te pro(isions of la$ for ti#e being in force sall be liable to eject#ent.@


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:e "upre#e ourt eld tat section 1 applied onl in te cases $ere te

landlord see's to e(ict a person $o as no rigt to possession. :is is furter reiterated b

te eading of tis section $ic reads4 6,ject#ent of person occuping land $itout title7.

:erefore4 section 1 ad no application to tenanc #atters.

:e eading prefi%ed to section or group of sections in so#e #odern statute are

regarded as prea#bles to tose sections. :e cannot control te plain $ords of te statute

but te #a e%plain a#biguous $ords. Bin'a (. aran "ing4 1&E

0eading prefi%ed to sections cannot control te plain $ords of te pro(isions. :e

cannot also be referred to for te purpose of construing pro(ision $en te $ords used in

te pro(ision are clear and una#biguous. :e cannot be used for cutting do$n te plain

#eaning of te $ords of pro(ision. *nl in te case of a#biguit or doubt eading or sub-

eading #a be referred to as an aid in construing pro(ision. R. >risnai (. "tate of A.P.4

2&E

MARGINAL NOTES:

In so#e e%ceptional cases4 #arginal notes #a be inserted b te legislators

te#sel(es. In suc cases elp can be ta'en of te #arginal notes because ere te are

considered as part of te Act. 9or e%a#ple4 #arginal notes appended to Articles of te

onstitution a(e been eld to constitute part of te onstitution as passed b te

onstituent Asse#bl and4 terefore4 te a(e been used in construing te Articles of te

onstitution. In Bengal I##unit o. Ltd. (. "tate of Biar C1&&D te "upre#e ourt eld

tat #arginal notes appended to Article 2)4 $ic pro(ides for ?Restrictions as to

i#position of ta% on te sale or purcase of goods@4 are a part of te onstitution and te

furnis ?prima facie@ so#e clue as to te #eaning and purpose of te Article.

In Balraj >u#ar (.


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$ere #arginal note is found #isleading or inappropriate. In case of conflict bet$een plain

language of pro(ision and #eaning of eading or title4 latter $ould not control te #eaning

$ic is clearl and plainl discernible fro# languages of for#er. Raicur#ata#

Praba'ar (. Ra$at#al /ugar4 2!E

Language of te #arginal note or section eading pri#a facie furnises clues as to

te #eaning or purpose of te section.*riental Insurance o. Ltd. (. 0ansrajbai ;. >odala4

21E en te language of a section is clear and una#biguous4 #arginal note cannot

restrict te #eaning of te section. :ere is no justification for restricting te section $en

te language e#ploed in te section clearl spells out its o$n #eaning. >arnata'a Rare

,art (. "enior Geologist4 /epart#ent of Mines and Geolog4 2!E

PUNCTUATION:

It is (er doubtful to sa tat in te construction of #odern acts punctuation can be

loo'ed upon for purposes of construction. In te past also courts did not regard punctuation

in te construction of a statute. In te $ords of 0obouse4 ?It is an error to rel on

punctuation in construing acts of te legislature@

In As$ini >u#ar Gose (. Arabinda Bose C1&2D Mu'erjea4 . "alpe'ar (. "unil >u#ar "a#sunder audari C1D clause 13 C3D C(D of

te . P. and Berar Letting of 0ouses and Rent ontrol *rder $ere construed. :is

pro(ision per#itted eject#ent of a tenant on te ground tat ?te tenant ad secured

alternati(e acco##odation4 or as left te area for a continuous period of four #onts and

does not reasonabl need te ouse.@ In olding te re=uire#ent tat te tenant 6does not

reasonabl need te ouse7 as no application $en e 6as secured alternati(e

acco##odation7 te court referred and relied upon te punctuation co##a after te $ords

alternati(e acco##odation.

Anoter e%a#ple is Mod. "abbir (. "tate of Maarastra C1+D. In tis case4

section 2+ of te /rugs and os#etics Act4 1! $as construed. According to te section4


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$oe(er 6#anufactures for sale4 sells4 stoc's or e%ibits for sale or distributes7 a drug

$itout a licence $as liable for punis#ent. :e "upre#e ourt eld tat te presence of

co##a after 6stoc's7 indicates tat #ere stoc'ing is not an offence $itin te section.

:erefore4 it $as eld tat onl stoc'ing for sale could not a#ount to offence and not #ere

stoc'ing.

ILLUSTRATION:

:e illustrations appended to a section for# part of te section and altoug te do

not for# part of te statute4 are of rele(ance and (alue in te construction of te te%t of te

section and te sould not be readil rejected as repugnant to te section.

Illustrations to te section are parts of te section and elp to elucidate te principle

of te section. Maes ander "ar#a (. Raj >u#ari "ar#a4 1)E But it is said tat

illustrations cannot #odif te language of te section and te cannot eiter curtail or

e%pand te a#bit of te section $ic alone for#s te enact#ent.

9or e%a#ple4 in "oper (. Ad#inistrator General of Bengal C1!!D in interpreting

section 113 of te Indian "uccession Act4 12& and in deciding tat 6later7 be=uest to be

(alid #ust co#prise of all testators re#aining interest if te legatee to te later be=uest is

not in e%istence at te ti#e of te testator7s deat and tat a confer#ent of a life estate

under suc a be=uest is not (alid. :e Pri( ouncil too' on aid of illustrations 2 and 3

appended to tat section and eld tat $at is not clear fro# te language of te section-

tat o$e(er co#plete #a be te disposition of $ill4 gift after te prior be=uest #a not be

a life interest to an unborn person for tat $ould be a be=uest to a person not in e%istence at

te ti#e of te testators deat of so#eting less tan re#aining interest of te testator.

:e (ie$ of Lord "a$ e%pressed in Ariffin7s case Mod. "deol Ariffin (. Jea *ai

Gar'4 11)E is pertinent ere. Lord "a$ obser(edF ?It is te dut of a court of la$ to accept4

if tat can be done4 te illustrations gi(en as being bot of rele(ance and (alue in te

construction of te te%t. :e illustrations sould in no case be rejected because te do not

s=uare $it ideas possibl deri(ed fro# anoter sste# of jurisprudence as to te la$ $it

$ic te or sections deal. And it $ould re=uire a (er special case to $arrant teir

rejection on te ground of tis assu#ed repugnanc to te sections te#sel(es. It $ould be

te (er last resort of construction to #a'e tis assu#ption. :e great usefulness of te

illustrations $ic a(e4 altoug not part of te sections4 be e%pressl furnised b te


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ANANYA R. BIBAVE

legislature as elpful in te $or'ing and application of te statute4 sould not be tus

i#paired.@

In a case in(ol(ing interpretation of section 1) of te Indian ,(idence Act4 1+24 te

"upre#e ourt eld tat te said pro(ision $as not intended to relie(e te prosecution ofte burden of proof and $as designed to #eet certain e%ceptional cases $ere te

infor#ation $as as #uc $itin te 'no$ledge of te prosecution as of te accused.

"a#bu at Mera (. "tate of Aj#er4 1&+E

0o$e(er4 te utilit of illustrations in interpreting te section cannot detract te pri#e

i#portance of te language of te section $ic is te enacting pro(ision. :erefore4

illustrations cannot a(e te effect of controlling te real content of te section and #ust

gi(e $a in case of repugnance $it te te%t of te section.

PROVISO:

Pro(iso as been (ariousl defined. 0idaatulla4 apur4


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ANANYA R. BIBAVE

reference to te pro(iso and if te sa#e is found to be a#biguous onl ten recourse #a

be ad to e%a#ine te pro(iso. *n te oter and4 an accepted rule of interpretation is tat

a section and te pro(ision tereto #ust be construed as a $ole4 eac portion tro$ing

ligt4 if need be4 on te rest. A pro(iso #ust be read in its conte%t and not in isolation.

Balcandra Anantrao Ra'(i (. Ra#candra :u'ara#4 21E :e real object of a pro(iso

sould be ascertained and it sould be read along $it te section as a $ole. It sould not

be rendered superfluous or redundant. "an'ar Ra# and o#pan (. >asi aic'er4 23E A

pro(iso is nor#all used to re#o(e special cases fro# te general enact#ent and pro(ide

for te# speciall.

A pro(iso =ualifies te generalit of te #ain enact#ent b pro(iding on e%ception

and ta'ing fro# te #ain pro(ision4 a portion4 $ic4 but for te pro(iso $ould be a part of

te #ain pro(ision. A pro(iso #ust4 terefore4 be considered in relation to te principle

#atter to $ic it stands as a pro(iso. A pro(iso sould not be read as if pro(iding

so#eting b $a of addition to te #ain pro(ision $ic is foreign to te #ain pro(ision

itself. A pro(iso to a section cannot be used to i#port into te enacting part so#eting $ic

is not tere. ere te enacting part is susceptible to se(eral possible #eanings it #a be

controlled b te pro(iso. Maula(i 0ussein 0aji Abraa# 5#arji (. "tate of Gujarat4 2!E

:e nor#al function of a pro(iso is to e%cept so#eting out of te enact#ent or to

=ualif so#eting enacted terein $ic but for te pro(iso $ould be $itin te pur(ie$ ofte enact#ent. Ali M.>. (. "tate of >erala4 23E

EXPLANATION:

"o#eti#es an e%planation is appended to a section to e%plain te #eaning of $ords

contained in te section. ,%planations are nor#all inserted $it te purpose of e%plaining

te #eaning of a particular pro(ision and to re#o(e doubts $ic #igt creep up if te

e%planation ad not been inserted. It beco#es a part and parcel of te enact#ent.

,%planation to a section is part of te section.

:e "upre#e ourt obser(ed in te Bengal I##unit o. (. "tate of Biar4 1&& tat

an e%planation is a part of te section to $ic it is appended and te $ole lot sould be

read togeter to 'no$ te true #eaning of te pro(ision. :e e%planation is to be li#ited to

te purpose for $ic it $as created and sould not be e%tended beond tat legiti#ate

field. :e e%planation created a legal fiction and tese fictions are created for definite

purpose. 0ere te a(o$ed purpose of te e%planation $as to e%plain $at an outside sale


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ANANYA R. BIBAVE

referred to in sub-clause CaD of te Article 2) C1D $as ?:e e%planation in clause 1 CaD

cannot be legiti#atel e%tended to clause C2D eiter as an e%ception or as a pro(iso tereto

or read as curtailing or li#iting te a#bit of clause C2D.@ 0ence4 it as been eld tat e%cept

in so far as te Parlia#ent #a b la$ pro(ide oter$ise4 no state la$ can i#pose or

autoriHe te i#position of an ta% on sales or purcases $en suc sale or purcase ta'es

place in te course of inter-state trade or co##erce and irrespecti(e of $eter suc sales

or purcases do or do not fall $itin te e%ception.

:e "upre#e ourt obser(ed in ". "undara# (. ;. R. Pattabira#an4 1& tat it is

$ell settled tat an e%planation added to a statutor pro(ision is not a substanti(e pro(ision

in an sense of te ter# but as te plain #eaning of te $ord itself so$s it is #erel #eant

to e%plain or clarif certain a#biguities $ic #a a(e crept in te statutor pro(ision.

:e objects of an e%planation to a statutor pro(ision are follo$ingF

aD to e%plain te #eaning and intend#ent of te act itself

bD $ere tere is an obscurit or (agueness in te #ain enact#ent to clarif te sa#e

so as to #a'e it consistent $it te do#inant object $ic it see#s to subser(e

cD to pro(ide an additional support to do#inant object of te Act in order to #a'e it

#eaningful and purposeful

dD an e%planation cannot in an $a interfere $it or cange te enact#ent or an part

tereof but $ere so#e gap is left $ic is rele(ant for te purpose of te

e%planation4 in order to suppress te #iscief and ad(ance te object of te act4 it

can elp or assist te court in interpreting te true purport and intend#ent of te

enact#ent4 and

eD it cannot4 o$e(er4 ta'e a$a a statutor rigt $it $ic an person under a statute

as been cloted or set at naugt te $or'ing of te Act b beco#ing a indrance in

te interpretation of te sa#e.

SCHEDULES:

"cedules attaced to an Act generall deal $it as to o$ clai#s or rigts under te

Act are to be asserted or as to o$ po$ers conferred under te Act are to be e%ercised.

:e di(ision of a statute into sections and scedules is done onl for con(enience

and4 terefore4 a scedule #a contain substanti(e enact#ent $ic #a e(en go beond

te scope of a section to $ic te scedule #a appear to be connected b its eading.

0ere4 in suc a case a clear positi(e pro(ision in a scedule #a be eld to pre(ail o(er te


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ANANYA R. BIBAVE

pri#a facie indication furnised b its eading and te purpose te scedule contained in

te Act. IR (. Gittus4 12E In deter#ining te #eaning or connotation of $ords and

e%pressions describing an article in a tariff scedule4 one principle $ic is fairl $ell settled

is tat tose $ords and e%pressions sould be construed in te sense in $ic te are

understood in te trade b te dealer and te consu#er. :e reason is tat te $o are

concerned $it it and it is te sense in $ic te understand it $ic constitutes te

definiti(e inde% of legislati(e intention. :e true test for classification is te test of

co##ercial identit and not te functional test. If te trade as ac=uired a particular

#eaning in te trade or co##ercial circles tat #eaning beco#es te popular #eaning in

te conte%t and it sould nor#all be accepted. ational Mineral orp. Ltd. (. "tate of M. P.4

2!E.


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ANANYA R. BIBAVE

EXTERNAL AIDS TO CONSTRUCTION

PARLIAMENTARY HISTORY:

(a) B!!:

As te speeces #ade b te #e#ber of te constituent asse#bl in te course of

debates on te constitution cannot be ad#itted as an e%ternal aid to te construction of te

constitution. in te sa#e $a4 te debates on a bill in parlia#ent are not ad#issible for

construction of te Act $ic is ulti#atel enacted.

In iranjit lal coudr (. 5nion of indiaCAIR 1&1 " pp !&4!)D9AKAL ALI


23/90


ANANYA R. BIBAVE

of #iscief or e(il intended to be re#edied and at ti#es for interpreting te Act. ,%a#ple

can be ta'en of "*/RA /,;I7s case in $ic Inco#e :a% ,n=uir report $as referred in

,%press ne$spaper case te press co##ission7s case $as referred.

HISTORICAL FACTS AND SURROUNDING CIRCUMSTANCE:

Lord A:>I"* said@ in te construction of statutes4 it is4 of course at all ti#es and

under all circu#stances per#issible to a(e regard to te state of tings e%isting at te ti#e

of te statutes $as passed and e(ils4 $ic4 as appears fro# te pro(isions 4 it $as designed

to re#ed.

In te $ords of Lord 0alisbur F ?:e subject-#atter $it $ic te legislature $as

dealing4 and te facts e%isting at te ti#e $it respect to $ic te legislature $as

legislating are legiti#ate topics to consider in ascertaining $at $as te object and purposeof te legislation in pasiing te act. C0erron (. Rat#ines and Ratgare o##issioners4

C12D A !4 p. &2 C0LD D.

SUBSE2UENT SOCIAL3 POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS AND

SCIENTIFIC INVENTIONS:

Generall4 statutes are of ?al$as spea'ing (ariet@ and te court is free to appl te

current #eaning of te statute to present da conditions. :erefore4 te reference to

circu#stances e%isting at te ti#e of te passing of te statute does not #ean tat te

language used4 at an rate4 in a #odern statute sould be eld to be inapplicable to social4

political and econo#ic de(elop#ents or to scientific in(entions not 'no$n at te ti#e of

passing of te statute.

A statute #a be interpreted to include circu#stances or situations $ic $ere

un'no$n or did not e%ist at te ti#e of te enact#ent of te statute. C"r. ,lectric Inspector (.

La%#inaraan opra4 AIR 1)2 " 1&4 p. &&+ C0LDD. Lord Bridge obser(edF ?en a

cange in social conditions produces a no(el situation4 $ic $as not in conte#plation at

te ti#e $en a statute is first enacted4 tere can be no a priori assu#ption tat te

enact#ent does not appl to te ne$ circu#stances. If te language of te enact#ent is

$ide enoug to e%tend to tose circu#stances4 tere is no reason $ it sould not appl.@

Co#del o##odities Ltd. ;. "ipore% :rade4 "A4 C1D 2 ALL ,R &&24 p.&&+ C0LD.

In a case before it4 te "upre#e ourt e#pasiHed tat te Indian Penal ode

sould be construed4 as far as its language per#its4 $it reference to #odern needs and not


24/90


ANANYA R. BIBAVE

$it reference to notions of cri#ainal jurisdiction pre(ailing at te ti#e $en te ode $as

enacted. CMobari' Ali A#ad (. "tate of Bo#ba4 AIR 1&+ " &+4 p. +1.D

In "enior ,lectric Inspector (. La%#inaraan opra4 supra it is said tat tere is a

distinction bet$een ancient statutes and co#parati(el #odern statutes.

"ubbarao *4


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ANANYA R. BIBAVE

Lord Mansfield e#pasiHed tat ?$ere tere are different statutes in pari #ateria toug

#ade at different ti#es4 or e(en e%pired4 and not reffering to eac oter4 te sall be ta'en

and construted togeter4 as one sste# and as e%planator of eac oter.@ CR. (. Lo%dale4

C1+&D+ ,R 3!4 p. 3&.D

:e sense in $ic a ter# as been understood in se(eral statutes does not

necessaril troug an ligt on te #anner in $ic ter# sould be understood generall4

especiall $en te statutes in =uestion are not in pari #aterial and are not dealing $it an

cognate subject and definition coined b legislature is an e%tended or artificial #eaning so

assigned to fulfil object of tat particular enact#ent. CMaes$ari 9is "eed 9ar# (. :..

,lectricit Board4C2!D !" +&FAIR 2! " 23!1.D:e coprigt Act4 1&+ and te A.P. General "ales :a% Act4 1&+4 are not statutes in

pari #ateria and terefore4 it as been eld tat te definition contained in te for#er sould

not applied in latter.C :ata onsultanc "er(ices (. "tate of A.P.4C2&D 1" 3F C2!D2+1 I:R !1F C2!D 13+ ": !2.D

5. H$!4 -'% $a-!$- +#a#0#$+:According to Lord MacMillan4@if an Act of Parlia#ent uses te sa#e language $ic

$as used in a for#er Act of Parlia#ent referring to te sa#e subject4 and passed $it te

sa#e purpose4 and for te sa#e object4 te safe and $ell-'no$n rule of construction is to

assu#e tat te legislature $en using $ell-'no$n $ords upon $ic tere a(e been $ell-

'no$n decisions uses tose $ords in te sense $ic te decisions a(e attaced to te#.

CODIFYING AND CONSOLIDATING STATUTES:

:e purpose of a codifing statute is to present an orderl and autoritati(e state#ent of

te leading rules of la$ on a gi(en subject4 $eter tose rules are to be found in statues or

co##on la$.

:e essence of a codifing statute ?is to be e%austi(e on te #atter in respect of

$ic it declares te la$ and it is not te pro(ince of a judge to disregard or go outside te

letter of enact#ent according to its true construction@.

:e purpose of a consolidating statute is to present $ole bod of statutor la$ on a

subject in co#plete for#4 repeating te for#er statutes.

A consolidating statutes is not a #ere co#pilation of earlier enact#ents. :e object

of te consolidation is to #a'e a useful code $ic sould be applicable to te

circu#stances e%isting at te ti#e $en te consolidating Act $as passed. 9or tis object4

all te statutor la$ bearing upon a particular subject is collected and is transfor#ed into a

useful code.

CONTEMPORANEA EXPOSITIOEST FORTISSIMA IN LEGE:


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ANANYA R. BIBAVE

onte#poranea ,%positioest 4 i.e. te effect of usage and te practice #eans tat

$ord of a statutes $ill generall be understood in te sense $ic te bore $en it $as

passed. Ma%$ell as saidF@ it is said te best e%position of a statute or an oter docu#ent

is tat $ic it as recei(ed fro# conte#porar autorit.. $ere tis as been gi(en b

enact#ent of judicial decision it is of course to be accepted as conclusi(e4@

:e principle of conte#poranea e%position is not applicable to #odern statutes. :e

doctrine is confined to te construction of a#biguous language used in (er old statutes

$ere indeed te language itself a(e a rater different #eaning of tese das.

,arlier te supre#e court refused to appl te principle of conte#poranea e%positio

to te telegrap act4 1&4 and te e(idence act4 1+24 but it $as referred to in te case of

R.".aa' (. A.R.Antule in construing section 21 of Indian Penal ode 41) and it $as

eld tat an M.L.A. is not a public ser(ant4 as tis e%pression is defined terein.

OTHER EXTERNAL AIDS TO CONSTRUCTION:

DICTIONARIES:

en a $ord is not defined in te Act itself4 it is per#issible to refer to dictionaries to

find out te general sense in $ic tat $ord is understood in co##on parlance or4in oter$ords4 dictionar #eaning or co##on parlance #eaning as to be resorted to. CMunicipal

Board4 "aaranpur (. I#perial :obacco of India Ltd.4 C1D 1 " &)) AIR 1 " 2)!

1 ll L< 22.D But in selecting one out of te (arious #eanings of a $ord4 regard #ust

al$as be ad to te conte%t as it is a te funda#ental rule tat ?te #eanings of $ords

and e%pressions used in an Act #ust ta'e teir colour fro# te conte%t in $ic te

appear@CRa# arian (. "tate of 5.P.4 AIR 1&+ " 14 p. 23D

/ictionar #eaning of a $ord is not considered $en a plain reading of te pro(ision

brings out $at $as intended C"tate of Maarastra (. Praful B /esai4 C23D ! " CriD

1&F AIR 23 " 2&3F C23D.

:e (ie$ of >RI"0A AIJAR4


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ANANYA R. BIBAVE

e%pression. C5nited Ban' of India (. /ebts Reco(er :ribunal4C1D ! " ) AIR 1

" 131 C1D) o#p. as.)2.D:e definition gi(en in te statue is te deter#inati(e

factor. C". Gopal Redd (. "tate of A.P.4 C1)D ! " &) 1) " CriD +2 AIR 1)

" 21!.D :oo #uc reliance on te dictionar #eaning $it regard to te conte%t is not

proper. CC22D 3 " 11.D.

/ictionar #eaning cannot be relied upon $en tere is a e%press statutor

pro(ision in regard to tat #atter.Cagulapati La's#a##a (. Mupparaju "ubbaia4 C1D

& " 2&.D. But so#eti#es $en te $ord is not defined in te Act4 dictionaries #a be

elpful4 for eg4 to deter#ine te #eaning of 6furniture7 dictionar #eaning $as relied on.

Ce$ elur #anufacturers CP.D Ltd.. (. ,4 C1+D ! ,L: !)+.

FOREIGN DECISIONS:

Indian ourts a(e per#itted in te interpretations of Indian statutes sobered use of

tose foreign decisions of te countries $ic follo$ te sa#e sste# of jurisprudence as

te Indian jurisprudence and $ic are rendered on statutes in pari #ateria.

"tatutor construction #ust be o#e-spun e(en if ospitable to alien tin'ing.

C Bangalore ater "uppl and "e$erage Board (. A. Rajappa4 AIR 1+ " &!4 p. &.D

:ere is one =ualification attaced to te4 assistance of foreign decisions tat pri#e

i#portance is al$as to be gi(en to te language of te rele(ant Indian "tatute4 tecircu#stances and te settings in $ic it is enacted in te conditions $ere it is to be

applied and tat it is not to be forgetten tat tere is al$as an ele#ent of ris' in ta'ing

read and ast assistance fro# foreign decisions C"ales :a% *fficer4 Banaras (. >anaia

lal Mu'und Lal "araf4 Air 1& " 13&4 pp.134 1!.D

:e "upre#e ourt is not bound b foreign CA#ericanD court decisions te a(e

onl a persuasi(e (alue. But if te are in consonance $it Indian La$ te courts can

borro$ te principles laid do$n in foreign decisions 'eeping in (ie$ te canging global

scenario.CLi(erpool 8 London ".P.8 I. C2!D " &12.D

9ollo$ing are te factors $ic oblige te Indian ourts in ta'ing recourse to foreign

precedents of ,nglis spea'ing countriesF

1. Lin' of te ,nglis o##on La$ and


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ANANYA R. BIBAVE

In arri(ing at te true #eaning of an enact#ent of te courts #a refer to te te%t

boo's also. But it is not necessar tat te #eaning gi(en in te te%t boo's sould

correspond to te (ie$ of te court. It is in te discretion of te court to accept or reject te

(ie$s gi(en in te te%t boo' $ic $as referred to b te court. :ere are #an instances of

bot rejection and acceptance of te (ie$s e%pressed in te%t boo's.


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ANANYA R. BIBAVE

SUBSIDIARY RULES OF INTERPRETATION

CONJUNCTIVE OR DISJUNCTIVE:

:e $ord 6or7 is nor#all disjuncti(e and 6and7 is nor#all conjuncti(e but at ti#es

te read as vice versato gi(e effect to te #anifest intention of te Legislature as disclosed

fro# te conte%t [Ishar !ingh "indra v. !tate of #.$.% &IR '()*+.According to Lord 0AL"B5RJ4 te reading of 6or7 as 6and7 is not be restored to4

unless so#e oter part of te sa#e statute or te clear intention of it re=uires tat to be

done.In Ishar !ingh "indra v. !tate of #.$. [&IR '()*+section 3CbDCiD of te /rugs Act4

1! defined drugs before its a#end#ents asF 6All #edicines for internal or e%ternal use of

u#an beings or ani#als and all substances intended to be used for or in te diagnosis4

treat#ent4 #itigation or pre(ention of disease in u#an beings or ani#als oter tan

#edicines andsubstances e%clusi(el used or prepared for use in accordance $it te

Aur(edic or 5nani "ste#s of #edicine7. In tis definition4 te italiciHed $ord 6and7 $as read

disjuncti(el as te conte%t so$ed tat it $as te clear intention of te legislature.In !tate of "omba, v. RM- Chamar "augala [&IR '(/+ $ile dealing $it section

2CdDCiD of te Bo#ba Lotteries and PriHe o#petition ontrol and :a% Act4 1! te

"upre#e ourt read 6or7 as 6and7 to gi(e effect to te clear intention of te legislature as

e%pressed in te Act read as $ole.

SAME WORD SAME MEANING:

en te Legislature uses sa#e $ord in different parts of te sa#e section or

statute4 tere is a presu#ption tat te $ord is used in te sa#e sense trougout. But tis

presu#ption is a $ea' presu#ption and is readil displaced b te conte%t. ,(en $en te

sa#e $ord is used at different places in te sa#e clause of te sa#e section it #a not

bear te sa#e #eaning at eac place a(ing regard to te conte%t of its use [$er

-harmadhi0ari% 1% in Mani0lal Ma2umdar v. 3auranga Chandra -e,% 456678+.In $arrell v. &lexander ['(/)+te #ore correct state#ent of te rule is stated tusF

?$ere te drafts#an uses te sa#e $ord or prase in si#ilar conte%ts4 e #ust be

presu#ed to intend it in eac place to bear te sa#e #eaning@.:e "upre#e ourt in interpreting te $ords 6te grounds on $ic te order as

been #ade7 as te occurred in section 3C3D and section +C1D of te Pre(enti(e /etention

Act4 1& eld tat te $ords did not bear te sa#e #eaning in tese t$o pro(isions. 5nder

section +C1D4 in co##unicating te grounds of detention to te detenu te Autorit could

$itold suc facts $ic $ere according to it against te public interest to disclose. ile

under section 3C3D4 in reporting to te "tate Go(ern#ent te grounds of detention4 tese

facts $ere li'el to figure #ore pro#inentl.


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ANANYA R. BIBAVE

It as been eld tat te rule of sa#e $ord sa#e #eaning #a not appl under

different pro(isions of te sa#e statute [CI9 v. :en0ateshara ;atcheries 4$.8


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ANANYA R. BIBAVE

ad(ocate of tat 0ig ourt7. It $as eld b te "upre#e ourt tat te adjecti(al clause

6regulating te conditions etc.74 =ualified te $ord 6la$7 and not te $ords 6Bar ouncil Act7.:e (ie$s of Lord MAA5G0:, in an earl case of Irra Dadd, Elotilla Compan,

v. "hagan -as ['*('+ are pertinent ere. In tis case4 section 1 of te Indian ontract Act4

1+2 $as construed $ic reads4 ?oting erein contained sall effect te pro(isions of

an statute4 Act or Regulation4 not ereb e%pressl repeated4 nor an usage or custo# of

trade4 nor an incident of an contact not inconsistent $it te pro(isions of te Act@. Lord

MAA5G0:, obser(ed tat ?te $ords 6not inconsistent $it te pro(isions of tis Act7

are not to be connected $it te clause 6nor an usage or custo# of trade7. Bot4 te reason

of te ting and gra##atical construction of te sentence4 if suc a sentence is to be tried

b an rules of gra##ar4 see# to re=uire tat te application of tose $ords sould be

confined to te subject $ic i##ediatel precedes te#@.

:is rule is subordinate to conte%t is illustrated b a decision of te "upre#e ourtrelating to te construction of section 1C3DCaD of te e#ploee7s Pro(ident 9und Act4 1&2.

:is section read4 6subject to te pro(ision contained in section 1)4 it Cte ActD applies to

e(er establis#ent $ic is a factor engaged in an industr specified in "cedule I and in

$ic fift or #ore persons are e#ploed7. :e contention before te ourt $as tat te

re=uire#ent tat te $or'#an e#ploed sould be fift and #ore go(erned te $ord

6industr7 and not te $ord 6factor7. In support of tis it $as urged tat te pronoun 6$ic74

#ust under te ordinar rules of gra##ar =ualif te noun i##ediatel preceding it and tat

too' it to te $ord 6industr7 rater tan to te $ord 6factor7. 0o$e(er4 tis contention $as

rejected on te basis of te conte%t and it $as eld tat te re=uire#ent as to te prescribed

nu#ber =ualified te $ord 6factor7 and not te $ord 6industr7 [Regional $rovident Eund

Commissioner% "omba, v. !hree ?rishna Metal Manufacturing Co. "handara% &IR '()5+.

NON6OBSTANTE CLAUSE:

:e e%pression FnonGobstanteH #eans ?not$itstanding@. A clause beginning $it

?not$itstanding anting contained in tis Act or in so#e particular pro(ision in te Act or in

so#e particular Act or in an la$ for te ti#e being in force74 is so#eting appended to asection in te beginning4 $it a (ie$ to gi(e te enacting part of te section in case of

conflict an o(erriding effect o(er te pro(ision or Act #entioned in tenonGobstanteclause.

It is e=ui(alent to saing tat in spite of te pro(ision or Act #entioned in te nonGobstante

clause4 te enact#ent follo$ing it $ill a(e its full operation or tat te pro(ision indicated in

te nonGobstante clause $ill not be an i#pedi#ent for te operation of te enact#ent@

[$ara,an ?andi,al ravath ?anaparavan ?alliani &mma v. ?. -evi 4'(()8@ &IR '(()+.:e (er purpose of nonGobstanteclause is tat te pro(ision sall pre(ail o(er an

oter pro(ision and tat oter pro(ision sall be of no conse=uence. In case of an

discrepanc bet$een nonGobstante clause and oter pro(isions4 nonGobstanteclause $ould


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ANANYA R. BIBAVE

pre(ail o(er te oter clauses. ,(en b dictionar sense4 te e%pression 6not$itstanding7

i#plies tat oter pro(isions sall not pre(ail o(er te #ain pro(isions [


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Regarding te scope of application of a legal fiction4 it as been eld tat it is to be

confined to te purpose for $ic te fiction $as created [&. ". ?rishna v. !tate of

?arnata0a% 4'((*8@ &IR '((*+.A fiction sould not be e%tended beond its purpose. :is is $ell illustrated b te

case of #nion of India v. !ampat Raj -ugar [&IR '((5+.In tis case4 section &C3D CiiD of te

I#ports ControlD *rder $as construed. :is section pro(ides tat ?It sall be dee#ed to be

a condition of e(er suc license CI#port licenseD tat te goods for te i#port of $ic a

license is granted sall be te propert of te licensee at te ti#e of i#port and tereafter

upto te clearance troug custo#s@. :e fiction created b tis clause $as eld to be for

te proper i#ple#entation of te I#port ControlD *rder and te I#ports and ,%ports

ControlD Act4 1!+ and also for olding te licensee responsible for anting and e(erting

tat appens fro# te ti#e of i#port till te goods are cleared troug custo#s and tat te

fiction cannot be e#ploed to attribute o$nersip of te i#ported goods to te i#porter in a

case $ere e abandons te# i.e.4 in a situation $ere e does not pa and recei(e te

docu#ents of title.In +. :ere is no uni(ersal rule regarding te director or

#andator pro(isions e%cept tis tat language alone #ost often is not decisi(e4 and regard

#ust be ad to te conte%t4 subject-#atter and object of te statutor pro(ision in =uestion

in deter#ining $eter te sa#e is director or #andator. Mandator or director does not

depend upon praseolog used in te statute but as to be deter#ined a(ing regard to

purpose and object of te statute [Chandri0a $rasad adav v. !tate of "ihar% 456678@ &IR

5667+. It is te dut of te courts to get te real intention of te legislature b carefullattending te $ole scope of te pro(ision to be construed. :e 'e to te opening of e(er

la$ is te reason and spirit of te la$4 it is te ani#us i#potentia4 te intention of te la$

#a'er e%pressed in te la$ itself4 ta'en as a $ole [!pecial Reference No. ' of 5665% In re

43ujarat &ssembl, lection matter8% 456658+.:e "upre#e ourt appro(ed te follo$ing passageF ?:e =uestion as to $eter a

statute is #andator or director depends upon te intent of te Legislature and not upon

te language in $ic te intent is cloted. :e #eaning and intention of te legislature

#ust go(ern4 and tese are to be ascertained not onl fro# te praseolog of te

pro(ision4 but also b considering its nature4 its design4 and te conse=uences $ic $ould


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ANANYA R. BIBAVE

follo$ fro# construing it one $a or te oter@ [$assage from Craford@ !9&9#9OR

CON!9R#C9ION% p. ')+.

Directory and Mandatory Provisions distinguished.In te case of #andator enact#ent it is said tat te #ust be staed or fulfilled

e%actl but in case of director enact#ents onl substantial co#pliance is sufficient.:ere are t$o director re=uire#ents regarding enact#entsF

1. :e $ic sould be substantiall co#plied $it to #a'e te Act (alid.2. ,(en if not at all co#plied $it te $ill a(e no effect on te Act.

:e correct position appears to be tat substantial co#pliance of an enact#ent is

insisting4 $ere #andator and director re=uire#ents are lu#ped togeter4 for in suc

case4 if #andator re=uire#ents are co#plied $it4 it $ill be proper to sa tat te

enact#ent as been substantiall co#plied $it not$itstanding te non-co#pliance of

director re=uire#ents.A pro(ision is not #andator unless non-co#pliance $it it is #ade penal. A

#andator pro(ision #ust be obeed and an act done in its breac $ill be in(alid but if it is

director it $ill be (alid.It is a general rule tat non-co#pliance of #andator re=uire#ents results in

nullification of te Act. But tere is one e%ception to tis rule. If certain re=uire#ents or

conditions are pro(ided b a statute in te interest of a particular person4 te re=uire#ents

or conditions4 altoug #andator4 #a be $ai(ed b i# if no public interest is in(ol(ed

and in suc a case te act done $ill be (alid e(en if te re=uire#ents or condition as notbeen perfor#ed.

Consequences provided by Statute.en no failure to co#pl $it a prescribed re=uire#ent nullification as a

conse=uence is pro(ided b te statute itself4 tere is no doubt tat suc statutor

re=uire#ent #ust be interpreted as #andator.:e periods prescribed in te "cedule to te Indian Li#itation Act4 1)34 for

bringing a legal proceeding are #andator because te conse=uences of te e%pir of te

period of li#itation is pro(ided b section ! of te Act in tat te ourt is enjoed to dis#issa legal proceeding instituted after e%pir of te prescribed period [Maqbool &hmed v. On0ar

$ratap Narain !ingh% &IR '(>+.

Negative words.en te co##and is cloted in a negati(e for#4 it suggests tat tere is clear

intention to consider te enacted pro(ision as #andator. "5BBARA*4


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ANANYA R. BIBAVE

Affirmative Words when impy negative.9or reading te pro(ision as #andator4 affir#ati(e $ords stand at a $ea'er footing

tan te negati(e $ords but affir#ati(e $ords #a also be so li#iting as to i#pl a

negati(e. As an e%a#ple te pro(isions of section &!4 &4 1+ and 123 of te :ransfer of

Propert Act4 124 prescribing #odes of transfer b sale4 #ortgage4 lease or gift #a be

ta'en. :e for#alities prescribed b tese pro(isions for effecting a transfer of te nature

#entioned in te# are #andator and te language used altoug affir#ati(e clearl

i#ports a negati(e [Mian $ir "ux v. Mohamed 9ahar% &IR '(>7+.

!se of "Sha# or "Sha and May#$ "Must# and "shoud#.In te $ords of


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ANANYA R. BIBAVE

In Chander Mohan v. !tate of #.$. [&IR '())+after a(ing regard to te object of

securing independence of subordinate judiciar4 pro(ision for consultation $it te 0ig

ourt in te #atter of appoint#ent of /istrict


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ANANYA R. BIBAVE

en a statute confers po$er upon a public official to destro4 defeat or prejudice a

person7s rigts4 interest4 or legiti#ate e%pectations4 te rules of natural justice regulate te

e%ercise of tat po$er unless te are e%cluded b plain $ords or necessar intend#ent

[&nnetts v. McCann 4'(('8+.

en a po$er is conferred to #a'e subordinate legislation4 it #ust be e%ercised in

confor#it $it te e%press and i#plied conditions contained in te e#po$ering statute.

:erefore4 an order in te nature of subordinate legislation can be callenged on te

follo$ing groundsF

'. en po$ers entrusted for one purpose are deliberatel used $it te design of

acie(ing anoter purpose $ic is unautorised or actuall forbidden.5. :e order so$s on te face of it a #isconstruction of te enabling Act or a failure to

co#pl $it te conditions $ic te Act as prescribed for te e%ercise of its po$ers.

>. :e order is not capable of being related to an one of te prescribed purposes[&.3. for Canada v. ;allet and Care,


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ANANYA R. BIBAVE

legislati(e po$ers but to po$ers of a 0ouse $ic are necessar for te conduct of its

business.In a recent case of


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ANANYA R. BIBAVE

:e rule ejusdem generisis #erel a canon of construction li'e #an oter rules

$ic gi(es $a to te clear intention of te legislature. It also appears tat tis rule as no

in(erse application. General $ords proceeding te enu#eration of specific instances are not

go(erned b tis rule and teir i#port cannot be li#ited b an suc principle.

In !tate of ?arnata0a v. ?empaiah [4'((*8 &IR '((*+ it $as eld tat te rule of

ejusdem generis$ic is an e%ception to te rule of construction te general $ords sould

be gi(en teir full and natural #eaning $as enunciated b Lord AMPB,LL in R. v.

dmundson['*(+% ?.. $ere tere are general $ords follo$ing particular and specific

$ords te general $ords #ust be confined to tings of te sa#e 'ind as tose specified@.

W'-,+ ' Ra&7.According to te rule of 6$ord of ran'74 te statutes $ic deals $it persons or

tings of inferior ran' are not e%tended to tose of superior degree b introduction of general

$ords and te general $ords follo$ing particular $ords $ill not co(er anting of a class

superior to tose to $ic te particular $ords relate. 9or e%a#ple4 a dut i#posed on

6copper4 brass4 pe$ter4 and tin and all oter #etals not enu#erated7 did not co(er sil(er or

gold as tese are #etals of a superior 'ind to te particular #etals enu#erated [Casher v.

;olmes% 4'*>'8+.

R$,,$&,' S&80!a S&80!+?ere tere are general $ords of description4 follo$ing an enu#eration of particular

tings suc general $ords are to be construed distributi(el4 reddendo singula singulis and

if te general $ords $ill appl to so#e tings and not oters4 te general $ords are to be

applied to tose tings to $ic te $ill4 and not to tose to $ic te $ill not appl tat

rule is beond all contro(ers@ [MH Neill v. Crommelin% 4'**8+.*sborne7s oncise /ictionar gi(es an e%a#ple of reddendo singula singulisas 6I

de(ise and be=ueat all # real and personal propert to A7 $ill be construed reddendo

singula singulisb appling 6de(ise7 to 6real7 propert and 6be=ueat7 to personal propert [/th

edn.% p. 5*'+.:e rule as been applied in te construction of te Pro(iso to Article 3! of te

onstitution $ic readsF 6Pro(ided tat no Bill or a#end#ent for te purpose of clause CbD

sall be introduced or #o(ed in te legislature of a "tate $itout te pre(ious sanction of

te President7. It $as eld b te "upre#e ourt tat te $ord 6introduced7 referred to 6Bill7

and te $ord 6#o(ed7 to 6A#end#ent7 [?oteshar :ittal ?amath v. ?. Rangappa "aliga B

Co.% &IR '()(+.

STATUTES AFFECTING THE JURISDICTION OF

COURTS

GENERAL PRINCIPLES:General principles regarding statutes affecting jurisdiction of courts $ill be discussed


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ANANYA R. BIBAVE

under four sub-eadingsF

A. ,%clusion #ust be e%plicitl e%pressed or clearl i#plied.B. :ree classes of cases.. ases of breac of statutor duties./. *#ission to e%ercise statutor po$er.

A. E9*!0+'& %0+# "$ E94!*#! E94-$++$, '- C!$a-! I%4!$,:

:e pro(isions e%cluding jurisdiction of ci(il courts and pro(isions conferring

jurisdiction on autorities oter tan ci(il courts are strictl construed.

:ere is a strong presu#ption tat ci(il courts a(e jurisdiction to decide all

=uestions of ci(il nature. :erefore4 te e%clusion of jurisdiction of ci(il courts is not to be

readil inferred and suc e%clusion #ust eiter be 6e%plicitl e%pressed or clearl i#plied7.

9or a court $ic $ould oter$ise a(e jurisdiction in respect of te subject-#atter

concerned4 ouster cannot be i#plied. *uster #ust be e%press ["hatia International v. "ul0

9rading !.&.% 456658= &IR 5665+.

:e e%istence of jurisdiction in ci(il courts to decide =uestions of ci(il nature is te

general rule and e%clusion is an e%ception of tis rule. :erefore4 te burden of proof to

so$ tat jurisdiction is e%cluded in an particular case is on te part $o raises suc a

contention [Rama,,a v. +.

It as been eld tat a suit to e(ict a tenant $ose tenanc as e%pired b efflu% of

ti#e is also a suit to enforce a rigt under section 1C=D of :ransfer of Propert Act and is

not a suit solel arising fro# a contract and is not barred[Rapta0os "rett B Co. v. 3anesh

$ropert,% &IR '((*+.

An e%a#ple of statutor ouster of jurisdiction is found in Arbitration and onciliation

Act4 1). "ection 2C1DCfD of te Arbitration and onciliation Act defines an international


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ANANYA R. BIBAVE

co##ercial arbitration and #a'es no distinction bet$een international co##ercial

arbitrations $ic ta'es place in India or international co##ercial arbitrations $ic ta'e

place outside India. ". 2C1DCeD defines 6court7 but does not pro(ide tat te courts in India $ill

not a(e jurisdiction if an international co##ercial arbitration ta'es place outside India. It

$as eld tat te courts in India $ould a(e jurisdiction e(en in respect of an international

co##ercial arbitration. An ouster of jurisdiction cannot be i#plied4 it as to be e%pressed

["hatia International v. "ul0 9rading !.&.% 456658= &IR 5665+.

B. T-$$ C!a++$+ ' Ca+$+:

ILL,"4


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ANANYA R. BIBAVE

case of a stri'e $ic is illegal te e#ploer can a(e te $or'ers punised under section

2) but e as no rigt to clai# co#pensation for loss of business caused b te illegal

stri'e.

In&0bar ?han v. union of India [&IR '()5+it $as said tat it is not correct to sa tat

te legislature ta'es a$a ci(il court7s jurisdiction onl $en a ne$ rigt is created b

statute4 and a tribunal is set up for deter#ination of tat rigt4 for b te use of appropriate

$ords jurisdiction #a be e%cluded in oter cases also.

C. Ca+$+ ' B-$a* ' S#a#0#'- D0#$+:

:ere is no uni(ersal rule b reference to $ic te =uestion of #aintainabilit of ci(il

action can infallibl be ans$ered.

In te $ords of Lord :,:,R/,4 .


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ANANYA R. BIBAVE

In anoter case4 OHRour0e v. Camden


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ANANYA R. BIBAVE

te deter#ination of a =uestion is sufficient in #ost cases for inferring tat te jurisdiction of

te ci(il courts to tr te sa#e #atter is barred [-esi0a Char,ulu v. !tate of &.$.% &IR '()7+.

It as been eld in a case tat $en jurisdiction of te ci(il courts on a particular

#atter is e%cluded b transferring tat jurisdiction for# ci(il courts to tribunals or autorities4

it is presu#ed tat suc tribunals or autorities can dra$ upon tat principles of procedures

in i(il Procedure ode4 toug not e%pressl #ade applicable4 to ensure fair procedure

and just decision unless suc principles are inconsistent $it te pro(isions of te Act

constituting te# [Rajasthan !tate Road 9ransport Corpn. v. $oonam $aha% &IR '((/+.

:e legal position as su##ed up in 0AL"B5RJ7" LA" *9 ,GLA/ is as

follo$sF

?It is te dut of persons upon $o# statutor po$ers are conferred to 'eep strictl $itin

tose po$ers. If suc persons act in e%cess of teir po$ers4 te are to te e%tent to $ic

te e%ceed teir po$ers4 depri(e of an protection conferred upon te# b te statute in

=uestion4 and $ill be subject to te ordinar re#edies e%isting at co##on la$. An injunction

#a be granted to restrain an act in e%cess of statutor po$ers and a person injured b

suc an act #a be entitled to reco(er da#ages fro# te persons purporting to e%ercise te

po$er[;alsbur,Hs rdedn.% :ol. >6% pp. )*)% )*/+@.

In Mafatlal Industries


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ANANYA R. BIBAVE

Article 3&) of te onstitution pro(es tat if te President 6is satisfied tat a situation

as arisen in $ic te Go(ern#ent of te "tate cannot be carried on in accordance $it

te pro(isions of te onstitution7 te President #a b procla#ationF

Assu#e to i#self te functions of te Go(ern#ent of te "tate. /eclare tat te po$ers of te "tate Legislature sall be e%ercised b te Parlia#ent

and

Ma'e suc incidental or conse=uential pro(isions as #a be necessar to gi(e effect to

te objects of te Procla#ation.

Before te !!tA#end#ent Act te Article furter pro(ided tat te satisfaction of te

President 6sall be final and conclusi(e and sall not be =uestioned in an court of la$7. In

!tate ofRajasthan v. #nion of India [&IR '(//=4'(//8+ te "upre#e ourt eld tat if te

satisfaction of te President is based on $oll e%traneous grounds $ic a(e no ne%us

$it te action ta'en4 te Procla#ation can be callenged in a court of la$ on te ground

tat te President acted $itout te re=uired satisfaction in issuing te Procla#ation4 for

satisfaction based on $oll irrele(ant grounds a#ounts to no satisfaction. 0o$e(er4 if tere

are so#e grounds $ic bear so#e rele(ance or ne%us to te action ta'en te sufficienc of

satisfaction cannot be callenged in a court of la$.

B. Ca+$+ ' N0!!#:

A =uestion is often as'ed4 ?en can order passed b a tribunal or autorit of

li#ited jurisdiction be eld to be a nullit@ ?:e ans$er is supplied b te original or pure

teor of jurisdiction. :e jurisdiction of a tribunal is deter#inable at te co##ence#ent of a

proceeding and if jurisdiction is properl assu#ed an order passed tereafter $ill be $itin

jurisdiction and conclusi(e toug it #a be erroneous in fact or la$. :e pure teor of

jurisdiction ga(e place to #odern teor of jurisdiction according to $ic defects of

jurisdiction can arise e(en during or at te conclusion of a proceeding. :e courts #a'e a

distinction bet$een jurisdictional =uestions of fact or la$ and =uestions of fact or la$ $ic

are not jurisdictional. If a =uestion of fact or la$ is jurisdictional4 te tribunal toug

co#petent to in=uire into tat =uestion cannot decide it conclusi(el4 and a $rong

deter#ination of suc a =uestion results in #a'ing te final decision in e%cess of jurisdiction.

But if a =uestion of fact or la$ is non-jurisdictional4 te tribunal7s decision is final and

conclusi(e. In oter $ords4 it can be said tat a tribunal cannot b a $rong deter#ination of

a jurisdictional =uestion of fact or la$ e%ercise a po$er $ic te legislature did not confer

upon it [R. v. !horedich &ssessment Committee% 4'('68+. 0o$e(er4 in tis teor te

de#arcation bet$een jurisdictional and non-jurisdictional =uestions of fact or la$ is not

clear.


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ANANYA R. BIBAVE

In #jjam "ai v. !tate of #.$. [&IR '()5+ it $as eld tat adjudication b a tribunal of

li#ited jurisdiction is (oid4 $en

Action is ta'en under an ultra viresstatute

:e subject-#atter of adjudication is beond its co#petence or te order passed is suc

$ic it as no autorit to pass.

:e adjudication is procedurall ultra viresbeing in (iolation of funda#ental principles of

judicial procedure4 and


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ANANYA R. BIBAVE

e%istence of B after proof of A ceases to be justiciable [+it as been eld tat e(en a pro(ision in

te onstitution conferring finalit to te decision of an autorit is not construed as

co#pletel e%cluding judicial re(ie$ under Article 13)4 22) and 22+ of te onstitution but

li#iting it to jurisdictional errors vi2.4 infir#ities based on (iolation of constitutional #andate4

mala fides% non-co#pliance $it rules of natural justice and per(ersit.

If te Legislature states tat te decision or order of a court or tribunal sall be final

and conclusi(e4 te re#edies a(ailable under te onstitution re#ain unfettered [Raj

?rushna "ose v. :iond ?anungo% &IR '(7+.

:e 0ig ourts of India apart fro# e%ercising super(isor po$ers under te

onstitution e%ercise a si#ilar po$er under "ection 11& of te ode of i(il Procedure4

14 o(er all subordinate courts. :is po$er of re(ision under section 11&4 $ic can be

e%cluded b legislati(e enact#ents4 is construed as not readil e%cluded e%cept b e%press

pro(ision to tat effect.


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ANANYA R. BIBAVE

OPERATION OF STATUTES

COMMENCEMENT:

6o##ence#ent7 of Act #eans te da on $ic te Act co#es into force [!ection

>4'>8% 3eneral Clauses &ct% '*/(+. 5nless oter$ise pro(ided4 a entral Act co#es into

operation on te da it recei(es te Presidential Assent and is construed as co#ing into

operation i##ediatel on te e%piration of te da preceding its co##ence#ent [!ection %

3eneral Clauses &ct% '*/(+.A "tate Act co#es into force on te da $en te assent of te Go(ernor or te

President4 as te case #a be4 is first publised in te *fficial GaHette of te "tate.

5nless te Act is brougt into operation b Legislati(e enact#ent or b te e%ercise

of autorit b a delegate e#po$ered to bring it into operation4 an Act cannot be said to

co##ence or to be in force [!tate of Orissa v. Chandrashe0har !ingh% &IR '(/6+. Po$er to

bring into force an Act can be e%ercised b te delegate e(en toug te legislature #a

a(e ceased to be co#petent to enact te Act4 if it $as $itin te co#petence of te

legislature at te ti#e of its enact#ent [Ishar -as v. #nion of India% '(/5+.:e co##ence#ent of an Act is often postponed to so#e specified future date or to

suc date as te appropriate Go(ern#ent #a4 b notification in te *fficial GaHette4

appoint. "o#eti#es different dates are also appointed for enforce#ent of different parts ofte sa#e Act.

An Act $ic is not applicable to an area or a "tate cannot be applied tere b

judicial fiat. But if te fact situation of te case so re=uires and a pro(ision in suc an Act

e#bodies a principle of justice4 e=uit and good conscience4 te principle so e#bodied #a

be applied to a case arising fro# an area or "tate to $ic te Act originall does not e%tend

[$anchugopal "arua v. #mesh Chandra 3osam,% '((/= &IR '((/+.A pro(ision in a Bill does not co#e into operation unless te enacting process is o(er

and te resulting Act containing tat pro(ision is brougt into operation. 0o$e(er4 an Act can

pro(ide tat certain pro(isions of a Bill on gi(en subject $ill co#e into operation on teir

introduction in te legislature.

RETROSPECTIVE OPERATION:

G$&$-a! P-&*4!$+:It is a cardinal principle of construction tat e(er statute is prima facieprospecti(e

unless it is e%pressl or b necessar i#plication #ade to a(e a retrospecti(e operation.

But te rule in general is applicable $ere te object of te statute is to affect (ested rigts

or to i#pose ne$ burdens or i#pair e%isting obligations. 5nless tere are $ords in testatute sufficient to so$ te intention of te legislature to affect e%isting rigts4 it is dee#ed


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ANANYA R. BIBAVE

to be prospecti(e onl. :e #a%i# nova constitutio futuris formam imponere debet non

praeteritisapplies i.e.4 a ne$ la$ ougt to regulate $at it is to follo$4 not te past.:e absence of a pro(ision e%pressl gi(ing a retrospecti(e operation to te

legislation is not deter#inati(e of its prospecti(it or retrospecti(it.9our facts are eld to be rele(ant ereF

General scope and pur(ie$ of te statute

:e re#ed sougt to be applied

:e for#er state of la$ and

at it $as te legislature conte#plated [Jile !ingh v. !tate of ;ar,ana% 456678+.

P';$- #' Ma7$ R$#-'+4$*#


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ANANYA R. BIBAVE

#a be ta'en to be co(ered4 if te purpose of te pro(ision indicates tat te intention $as

to co(er it [#nion of India v. Eilip 9iago -e 3ama of :edem :asco -e 3ama% &IR '((6+.Presu#ption against retrospecti(it #a be rebutted b necessar i#plication

especiall in a case $ere te ne$ la$ is #ade to cure an ac'no$ledged e(il for te benefit

of te co##unit as a $ole [Mithilesh ?umari v. $rem "ihari ?hare% &IR '(*(+.*nl in so#e cases4 a distinction is #ade bet$een an e%isting rigt and a (ested

rigt and it is said tat te rule against retrospecti(e construction is applied onl to sa(e

(ested rigts and not e%isting rigts.

S#a#0#$+ ,$a!&8 ;# P-'*$,0-$:In te $ords of Lord /,IGF ?:e rule tat an Act of Parlia#ent is not to be gi(en

retrospecti(e effect applies onl to statutes $ic affect (ested rigts. It does not appl to

statutes $ic onl alter te for# of procedure or te ad#issibilit of e(idence4 or te effect

$ic te courts gi(e to e(idence@ ["l,th v. "l,th% 4'())8+.In contrast to statutes dealing $it substanti(e rigts4 statutes dealing $it #erel

#atters of procedure are presu#ed to be retrospecti(e unless suc a construction is

te%tuall inad#issible [3urbachan !ingh v. !atpal !ingh% &IR '((6+.Ma%$ell e%pressed te rule in te follo$ing $ordsF ?o person as a (ested rigt in

an course of procedure. 0e as onl te rigt of prosecution or defense in te #anner

prescribed for te ti#e being b or for te court in $ic te case te pending4 and if4 b an

Act of Parlia#ent te #ode of procedure is altered4 e as no oter rigt tan to proceed

according to te altered #ode@.

R$*$ S#a#$%$+ ' #$ -0!$ a8a&+# R$#-'+4$*#


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,%a#ple can be ta'en ere tat of section of te 0indu "uccession Act4 1&). :is

section enacts tat te propert of a #ale 0indu 6ding intestate7 sall de(ol(e according to

te pro(isions of te Act. It $as eld tat $ere succession opened before te Act4 it $ill not

appl [ramma v. :eerupana% &IR '())+. 0o$e(er4 in-a,a !ingh v. -han ?aur [&IR '(/7+ it

$as applied to te case of a fe#ale li#ited o$ner $o died after te Act but te #ale to

$o# se ad succeeded ad died prior to te Act.

STATUES RELATING TO TRANSFERS AND CONTRACTS::ose statutes $ic prescribe for#alities for effecting a transfer are not applicable

to transfer #ade prior to teir enforce#ent. "i#ilarl statues dispensing $it for#alities

$ic $ere earlier necessar for #a'ing transfers a(e not te effect of (alidating transfer

$ic $ere lac'ing in tese for#alities and $ic $ere #ade prior to suc "tatutes [Mata

$rasad v. Nageshari !ahai% &IR '(5+.

0o$e(er4 certain posterior la$s seriousl affect te perfor#ance of e%isting contracts

and te #ost co##on e%a#ple of suc posterior la$s is $ere a contract is frustrated b

super(ening i#possibilit brougt about b subse=uent statutes or b Go(ern#ental steps

ta'en under te# [!at,abrata v. Mugneeram% &IR '(7+.It as been eld tat a statute altering e%isting contracts and retrospecti(e in tat

sense need not necessaril be construed to be so retrospecti(e as to affect a breac of

contract or its conse=uences $ic ad ta'en place before its operation [3ardner B Co. v.

Cone% 4'(5*8+.

STATUTES OF LIMITATION:"ection 3 of te Li#itation Act4 1)3 pro(ides tat $en a later Act enacts sorter

periods4 it is usual to postpone its co#ing into effect for so#e reasonable ti#e4 or to #a'e

pro(ision for a ti#e gap $itin $ic te benefit of te earlier Act can be ta'en [!ection >6%

8+.:erefore4 te statutes of li#itation are retrospecti(e in so far te appl to all legal

proceedings brougt after teir operation for enforcing causes of action accrued earlier4 but

te are prospecti(e in te sense tat te neiter a(e te effect of re(i(ing a rigt of action

$ic $as alread barred on te date of teir co#ing into operation4 nor do te a(e te

effect of e%tinguising a rigt of action substituting on tat date. 0o$e(er4 a statute b4

e%press or i#plied pro(ision4 #a re(i(e a barred clai# b retrospecti(el e%tending

li#itation.

FISCAL STATUTES:9iscal legislation i#posing liabilit is generall go(erned b te nor#al presu#ption

tat it is not retrospecti(e [;alsbur,Hs rdedn.% :ol. >)% p. 75+.It is a cardinal principle of ta% la$ tat te la$ to be applied is tat in force in te

assess#ent ear unless oter$ise pro(ided e%pressl or b necessar i#plication.


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ANANYA R. BIBAVE

Assess#ent creates a (ested rigt and an assessee cannot be subjected to reassess#ent

unless a pro(ision to tat effect inserted b a#end#ent is eiter e%pressl or b necessar

i#plication retrospecti(e [Controller of state -ut, 3ujaratGI v. M.&. Merchant% &IR '(*(+.In"anarsidas v. I9O% -istt. I:% Calcutta [&IR '()7+it $as eld tat a pro(ision $ic

in ter#s is retrospecti(e and as te effect of opening up liabilit $ic ad beco#e barred

b lapse of ti#e4 $ill be subject to te rule of strict construction.

PENAL STATUTES:Penal statues are generall considered prospecti(e. :ose penal statutes $ic

create offences or $ic a(e te effect of increasing penalties for e%isting offences $ill onl

be prospecti(e b reason of te onstitutional restriction i#posed b Article 2 of te

onstitution [D. Ramnad lectric -istribution Co.


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ANANYA R. BIBAVE

?:e legal pursuit of re#ed4 suit4 appeal and second appeal are reall but steps

in a series of proceedings all connected b a intrinsic unit and are to be

regulated as one legal proceeding

:e rigt of appeal is not a #ere #atter of procedure but is a substanti(e rigt

:e institution of te suit carries $it te i#plication tat all rigts of appeal tenin force are preser(ed to te parties tereto till te rest of te carrier of te suit

:e rigt of appeal is a (ested rigt and suc a rigt to enter te superior court

accrues to te litigant and e%ists as on and fro# te date te lis co##ences and

altoug it #a be actuall e%ercised $en te ad(erse judg#ent is pronounced4

suc rigt is to be go(erned b te la$ pre(ailing at te date of te institution of

te suit or proceeding and not b te la$ tat pre(ails at te date of its decision

or at te date of filing appeal

:is (ested rigt of appeal can be ta'en a$a onl b a subse=uent enact#ent if

it so pro(ides or b necessar intend#ent and not oter$ise@.

DECLARATORY STATUTES:In te $ords of raies4 ?9or #odern purposes a declarator Act #a be defined as

an Act to re#o(e doubts e%isting as to te co##on la$4 or te #eaning or effect of an

statute. "uc Acts are usuall eld to be retrospecti(e. :e usual reason for passing a

declarator Act is to set aside $at Parlia#ent dee#s to a(e been a judicial error4 $eter

in te state#ent of te co##on la$ or in te interpretation of statutes. 5suall4 if not

in(ariabl4 suc an Act contains a prea#ble4 and also te $ord 6declared7 as $ell as

6enacted7 @ [Craies= !9&9#9


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ANANYA R. BIBAVE

"ection 3!2-A of te ode of ri#inal Procedure4 14 introduced b a#ending Act

2) of 1&! $as construed in &nant 3opal !heore, v. !tate of "omba, [&IR '(*+. :is

section enacted tat an accused person sall be a co#petent $itness and #a gi(e

e(idence on oat in disproof of te carges. It $as eld to be applicable to a prosecution

$ic $as pending at te ti#e te a#ending Act ca#e into force.

A!#$-a#'&+ ' S0"+#a+section !)C2D of te Go(ern#ent of India

Act4 13& $as construed $ic enacted tat ?Bur#a sall cease to be a part of India@. :is

section $as construed not to affect te continuance of pending action in an Indian our

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