Interpretation of Statutes – II

(Oct. – Dec.2019)

Model Answer
Q.1. Penal Statutes and rules of interpretation of penal statutes – brief explanation . Statutory
offences – Malum inse and Malum Prohibitum - Explain.

 Mens Rea in statutory offences , Justice Wright on ‘Mens Rea’. – Sherras v. De Rutzen ;
State of Maharashtra v. M.H. George.
 Nathu Lal v. State of M.P.

Q.2. Justice Kania in A.K. Gopalan case on ‘Spirit of Constitution’ while emphasizing upon
express mandate in the constitution.

 State of Bihar v. Kameshwar ; Keshav Madhav Menon v. State of Bombay; Nagi Prasad
v. A.D. Devalkar .
 Doctrine of Basic Structure – Sankari Prasad v. UOI ; Sajjan Singh v. State of Rajasthan
; Golaknath v. State of Punjab ; Keshvananda Bharti v. State of Kerela; Indira Nehru
Gandhi v. Raj Narain.

Q3. Stare Decisis Et Non Quieta Movere – An Introduction; Art. 141 of the constitution of
India; Concerns of certainity and continuity – Minerva Mills v. UOI ; Smith v. Keal ; Mohd.
Yasin v. Rehmatullah.

 Judicial Review and Doctrine of Stare Decisis.

 Communis Error Facit Jus – Its rationale.
 Doctrine of Stare Decisis in India – Bengal Immunity v. state of Bihar.
 Ratio Decidendi – Krishna Kumar v. Union of India.
 Doctrine of Prospective Over ruling – I.C. Golaknath v. State of Punjab.

Q4. Validating Act – Explain

 Cases - Jaora Sugar Mills v. State of M.P.; State of Mysore v. D. Achiah Chetty; Meerut
Development Authority v. Satbir Singh ; state of T.N. v. M/s. Arooran Sugar Ltd.
 Limitations - UOI v. T.R. Mohanty.
Q5. Remedial Legislations, Social Welfare Legislations – Explain. Liberal Interpretation and
other related points while construing social welfare legislations.

 London & North Eastern Rly. Co. v. Berriman ; Bhagirath Kanoria v. State of M.P. ;
M.C. Mehta v. State of T.N. ; Noor Saba Khatoon v. Mohd. Qasim ; Central Railway
Workshop v. Vishwanath; Kuldeep Kaur v. Surinder Singh.

Q6. Strict interpretation of tax statutes and related rules of interpretation.

 Parrington v. Attorney General ; A.V. Fernandez v. State of Kerela ; IRC v. Duke of

Westminister ; Punjab Distilling Industries v. CIT ; Furniss (Inspector of Taxes) v.
Dowson ; W.I. Ramsay v. IRC ; Latilla v. IRC ; McDowell & Co. Ltd. v. CIT; UOI v.
Azadi Bachao Andolan ; Vodafone International Holding v.UOI.

Q7. Short Notes

a) Role of Constitutional Convention - Keeton, A.V. Dicey, Ivor Jennings;
characteristics of constitutional convention.
 Cases – S.P. Anand v. H.D. Devegowda; K. Lakshmi Narayan v. UOI; S.P. Gupta v.
Union of India.

b) Interpretation of Exemption Clause –

 Discuss the rule of interpretation of exemption clause.
 Cases- Indcon Structures (P) Ltd. v. CCE; Oxford University Press v. CIT.

c) Doctrine of Severebility –
 Explain the Doctrine – State of Bombay v. F.N. Balsara; RMDC v. Union of
India ; Kihoto Hollohan V. Zaichillu.

Doctrine of Eclipse –
 Explain the Doctrine – Bhikaji Narain v. State of M.P. ; Keshva Madhva
Menon v. State of Bombay.

d) Rule of Constitutional Interpretation in relation to Doctrine of Implied Powers

– Explain the Doctrine , American Provisions ; incidental powers.
 Bidi, Bidi Leaves & Tobacco Merchants Association v. State of Bombay