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UNDER
INDIA
THE
GUIDANCE
OF
THIS
PROJECT IS
AUTHORED
BY-
TABLE
OF
CONTENTS
OBJECTIVES...............................................................................................................................2
HYPOTHESIS..............................................................................................................................2
SCOPE.........................................................................................................................................2
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.....................................................................................................2
CONCEPT OF RETROSPECTIVE OPERATION OF STATUTES.....................................................4
TEST FOR DETERMINING RETROSPECTIVITY.......................................................................5
COMPETENCY TO ENACT RETROSPECTIVE LAWS....................................................................8
COMPETENCY OF LEGISLATURE..........................................................................................8
EXECUTIVE RULES NOT RETROSPECTIVE............................................................................8
EXISTING RIGHTS USUALLY NOT AFFECTED..........................................................................9
APPLICABILITY OF THE RULE TO SUBSTANTIVE RIGHTS........................................................9
PRESUMPTION AGAINST RETROSPECTIVITY..........................................................................10
EXCEPTION..........................................................................................................................11
WHERE TWO INTERPRETATIONS ARE POSSIBLE....................................................................12
EFFECT MUST BE GIVEN TO LANGUAGE IRRESPECTIVE OF CONSEQUENCES...................12
HOW FAR PRIOR STATE OF LAW RELEVANT.........................................................................13
CONCLUSION............................................................................................................................14
BIBLIOGRAPHY........................................................................................................................15
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this project is to analyze the retrospective
operation of statutes through various case laws and to
understand the current position of laws with respect the same.
HYPOTHESIS
The approach that has been adapted by the judiciary is in the
benefit of law and in consonance with the objective law seeks
to achieve. The decisions that is being given by the judiciary
and interpreted by various jurists all over the world would be
limited to the objectives and aims of law. Discretion that is
taken into account is minimal.
SCOPE
This project will delve upon the concept of Retrospective
Operation of Statutes in India. The paper will also analyse the
development of this concept with respect to various judicial
pronouncements. The various tests used to judge the scope of
retrospectivity and its extent of application will also be
discussed in the paper at hand.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
We, while constructing this project, have relied on both
primary and secondary sources for research while placing
main reliance on primary sources. We have looked into various
books,
articles,
documents
and
cases
relating
to
the
INTRODUCTION
Any kind of statute operates in two ways, i.e., a prospective
operations where a statute seeks to govern current activities
and a retrospective operation where a statute seeks to operate
on past events and activities. Though retrospective operation
is not favoured in law rather there is a presumption against
retrospective operation of statutes. Acts, enactments and
administrative
rules
will
not
be
construed
to
have
CONCEPT
OF
RETROSPECTIVE OPERATION
OF
STATUTES
laws
are
those,
in
which
the
date
of
TEST
FOR
DETERMINING RETROSPECTIVITY
but
declaratory
statutes
are
considered
as
COMPETENCY
COMPETENCY
OF
LEGISLATURE
the
Legislature
to
obliterate
an
amending
Act
prior
executive
and
legislative
acts
by
reason
held
invalid,
Parliament
can
by
passing
passed
by
it
but
an
executive
government
retrospective
in
effect
unless
that
power
is
Dist
Judge,
Allahabad 25,
no
vacancy
in
the
according
to
the
law
in
force
prior
to
the
PRESUMPTION
AGAINST
RETROSPECTIVITY
statute,
although
not
intended
to
be
TO
LANGUAGE IRRESPECTIVE
OF
CONSEQUENCES
If the meaning of words used indicates an intention that the
Act is to have retrospective operation, then, no matter, what
the consequences this operation must be given to the
provisions.38 No doubt whenever the intention is clear that the
Act shall have retrospective operation, it must unquestionably
be so construed even if the consequences may appear unjust
and hard.39 If there are words in the enactment which either
expressly or by necessary intendment (eg from the object of
the statute) imply that the statute is to be given retrospective
operation even in respect of substantive rights or pending
actions, the courts have no other alternative than to give such
operation to the statutes even though the consequence may
appear to be unjust or hard.40 In determining whether any
provisions of an Act was intended to be retrospective or not,
FAR
PRIOR STATE
OF
LAW RELEVANT
CONCLUSION
Every
other
statutes
leaving
those
which
are
merely
are
prima
facie
prospective
and
retrospective
then
prospective
interpretation
must
be
BIBLIOGRAPHY
STATUTES REFERRED
Constitution of India, 1950
Criminal Procedure Code, 1973.
Indian Penal Code, 1860.
BOOKS
A.B.Kafaltiya, Interpretation of Statutes (Universal Law
Publishing, 2008).
Vepa P. Sarthi, Interpretation of Statutes (Eastern Book
Company, 5th ed, 2010).
Halsbury Laws of England, Vol. 36 (3rd Ed).
T.Bhattacharyya,
The
Interpretation
of
Statutes,
(Eastern
Book
WEB SOURCES
http://corporatelawsupdates.blogspot.in/2010/08/retrospe
ctive-operation-of statutes.html
http://www.legalservicesindia.com/article/article/prospect
ive-vs-retrospective-517-1.html
http://www.mondaq.com/india/x/19039/Principles+of+Ret
rospective+Operation+of+Law+and+Ultra+Vires
http://www.taxindiaonline.com/RC2/inside2.php3?
filename=bnews_detail.php3&newsid=981
http://www.heinonline.org/HOL/Page?
handle=hein.journals/ubclr29&div=9&collection=journal
s&set_as_cursor=3&men_tab=srchresults&terms=retros
pective%7Claw&type=matchall