Unit 2 of Interpretation of Statutes (syllabus: Noscitur a sociis, ejusdem generis and reddendo singula singulis; restrictive and beneficial construction; taxing, penal and welfare statutes; mandatory and directory provisions; substantive and procedural law). Below: what the unit covers, the provisions it turns on, and the cases an examiner expects you to name.
What this unit covers
- What is noscitur a sociis, and how does it differ from ejusdem generis?
- When does the rule of ejusdem generis apply, and what are its conditions?
- What does reddendo singula singulis do, and how does it differ from the rule of the last antecedent?
- What is the difference between a substantive and an adjective statute, and why does it decide whether a new Act reaches pending matters?
- What does it mean to say that a penal statute is construed strictly?
- How is a taxing statute construed, and is it construed differently from any other statute?
- What is beneficial construction, and how does it pair with restrictive construction?
- How does a court decide whether a provision is mandatory or directory?
Treat that list as a self-test: recite each topic's rule from memory before you open its cases.
Provisions
- Constitution of India, s. Proviso to Article 304
- Constitution of India, s. Article 20(1)
- Constitution of India, s. Article 265
- Code of Criminal Procedure, s. Section 154(1)
Leading cases
- Oswal Agro Mills Ltd. v. CCE 1993 Supp (3) SCC 716; State of Assam v. R. Muhammad AIR 1967 SC
- Calcutta Municipal Corpn. v. East India Hotels Ltd. (1994) 5 SCC 690; U.P. State Electricity Board v. Harishankar AIR 1979 SC
- Koteshwar Vittal Kamat v. K. Rangappa Baliga AIR 1969 SC
- Maharaja Chintamani Saran Nath Shahdeo v. State of Bihar AIR 1999 SC 3609
- M.V. Joshi v. M.U. Shimpi AIR 1961 SC 1494; A.S. Sulochana v. C. Dharmalingam AIR 1987 SC 242
- The Empress Mills
- All India Reporter Karamchari Sangh v. All India Reporter Ltd. AIR 1988 SC 1325
- Lalita Kumari v. Govt. of U.P. (2014) 1 SCC (Cri) 524; The Remington Rand of India Ltd. v. The Workmen AIR 1968 SC 224
Full case summaries
- U.P. State Electricity Board v. Harishankar (1979)
- Koteshwar Vittal Kamat v. K. Rangappa Baliga (1969)
- The Empress Mills, Nagpur v. The Municipal Committee, Wardha (1958)
- All India Reporter Karamchari Sangh v. All India Reporter Ltd. (1988)
- The Remington Rand of India Ltd. v. The Workmen (1968)
- A.S. Sulochana v. C. Dharmalingam (1987)
- Maharaja Chintamani Saran Nath Shahdeo v. State of Bihar (1999)