Supreme Court Annual Digest 2022- Words And Phrases

Words and Phrases - Appeal - An appeal is judicial examination of a decision of a subordinate court by a higher court to rectify any possible error(s) in the order under appeal. The law provides the remedy of an appeal in recognition of the fact that those manning the judicial tiers too may commit errors. (Para 28) BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd. v. Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 857 : 2022 (15) SCALE 588

Bail

Words and Phrases - Bail - A bail is nothing but a surety inclusive of a personal bond from the accused. It means the release of an accused person either by the orders of the Court or by the police or by the Investigating Agency. It is a set of pre-trial restrictions imposed on a suspect while enabling any interference in the judicial process. Thus, it is a conditional release on the solemn undertaking by the suspect that he would cooperate both with the investigation and the trial - Bail is the rule and jail is the exception. (Para 8-12) Satender Kumar Antil v. Central Bureau of Investigation, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 577 : AIR 2022 SC 3386 : (2022) 10 SCC 51

Dictionary

Words and Phrases - Dictionary - A dictionary always contains the meaning of the words as they are understood by people for generations. It contains the meaning of a word which is already legitimized. Lexicographers include a word in the dictionary when it is used by many in the same way. (Para 39) Narinder Singh v. Divesh Bhutani, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 620 : AIR 2022 SC 3479

Due process of law

Words and Phrases - Due process of law - Meaning discussed. (Para 12) Padhiyar Prahladji Chenaji v. Maniben Jagmalbhai, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 241 : 2022 (4) SCALE 352

Errata

Words and Phrases - Scope and meaning of the word “errata” discussed - “Errata” is a term of French origin which means a thing that should be corrected. It means a mistake in printing or writing - Errata is a correction of a mistake. Hence, only arithmetical and clerical mistakes could be corrected and the scope of the notification could not be enlarged by virtue of an errata notification, (Para 153 -154) State of Andhra Pradesh v. A.P. State Wakf Board, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 136

Finding and Reasons

Words and Phrases - Difference between ‘finding’ and ‘reasons’ - Finding is a decision on an issue – Reasons are the links between the materials on which certain conclusions are based and the actual conclusions. I-Pay Clearing Services Pvt. Ltd. v. ICICI Bank Ltd. 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 2 : AIR 2022 SC 301 : (2022) 3 SCC 121

Include

Words and Phrases - “Include” - When the word “include” is used in interpretation clauses, the effect would be to enlarge the meaning of the words or phrases occurring in the body of the statute. Such interpretation clause is to be so used that those words or phrases must be construed as comprehending, not only such things, as they signify according to their natural import, but also those things which the interpretation clause declares that they shall include. In such a situation, there would be no warrant or justification in giving the restricted meaning to the provision. (Para 47) Kotak Mahindra Bank ltd. v. A. Balakrishna, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 534 : AIR 2022 SC 2652 : (2022) 9 SCC 186

Interest

Words and Phrases - Interest - The compensation fixed by agreement or allowed by law for the use or detention of money, or for the loss of money by one who is entitled to its use; especially, the amount owed to a lender in return for the use of the borrowed money. (Para 10-12) Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority v. Maradu Municipality, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 485 : AIR 2022 SC 2377 : (2022) 8 SCC 240

Legal Malice or Malice in law

Words and Phrases - “Legal malice” or “malice in law” - State is under the obligation to act fairly without ill will or malice — in fact or in law. “Legal malice” or “malice in law” means something done without lawful excuse. It is an act done wrongfully and wilfully without reasonable or probable cause, and not necessarily an act done from ill feeling and spite. Where malice is attributed to the State, it can never be a case of malice or spite on the part of the State. It would mean exercise of statutory power for “purposes foreign to those for which it is in law intended”. It means conscious violation of the law to the prejudice of another, a depraved inclination on the part of the authority to disregard the rights of others. (Para 58) Ms. X v. Registrar General, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 150 : 2022 (3) SCALE 99

May and Shall

Words and Phrases - May and Shall - Ordinarily the word "may" is directory. The expression 'may admit' confers discretion to admit. In contrast, the use of the word "shall" postulates a mandatory requirement. The use of the word "shall" raises a presumption that a provision is imperative. However, the prima facie presumption about the provision being imperative may be rebutted by other considerations such as the scope of the enactment and the consequences flowing from the construction. (Para 64) Vidarbha Industries Power Ltd. v. Axis Bank Ltd., 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 587 : (2022) 8 SCC 352

Officer, Subordinate

Words and Phrases - Meaning of expressions "officer", "subordinate", "any", "officer subordinate" discussed. (Para 31 -33) NKGSB Cooperative Bank Ltd. v. Subir Chakravarty, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 212 : AIR 2022 SC 1325 : (2022) 10 SCC 286

Public Interest

Words and Phrases - Public Interest - The term ‘Public interest’ has no rigid definition. It has to be understood and interpreted in reference to the context in which it is used. The concept derives its meaning from the statute where it occurs, the transaction involved, the state of society and its needs. (Para 8.7) Small Industries Development Bank of India v. Sibco Investment Pvt. Ltd., 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 7 : (2022) 3 SCC 56

Question of Law

Words and Phrases - Question of Law - Phrases such as, 'question of law', are open textual expressions, used in statutes to convey a certain meaning which the legislature would not have intended to be read in a pedantic manner. When words of the Sections allow narrow as well as wide interpretations, courts of law have developed the art and technique of finding the correct meaning by looking at the words in their context. (Para 14-16) Securities and Exchange Board of India v. Mega Corporation Ltd., 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 319 : 2022 (5) SCALE 340

Solely

Words and expressions - 'Solely' - The term 'solely' is not the same as 'predominant / mainly', it means 'to the exclusion of all others'. (Para 49) New Noble Educational Society v. Chief Commissioner of Income Tax 1,2022 LiveLaw (SC) 859 : 2022 (15) Scale 302

Substantial Question of Law

Words and Phrases - Substantial Question of Law - The word 'substantial' as qualifying 'question of law' means, of having substance, essential, real, of sound worth, important or considerable. It is to be understood as something in contradistinction with technical, of no substance or consequence, or academic. (Para 30) BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd. v. Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 857 : 2022 (15) SCALE 588

Trial

Words and Phrases - Trial - An extended meaning has to be given to this word for the purpose of enlargement on bail to include, the stage of investigation and thereafter - Primary considerations would obviously be different between these two stages. In the former stage, an arrest followed by a police custody may be warranted for a thorough investigation, while in the latter what matters substantially is the proceedings before the Court in the form of a trial. If we keep the above distinction in mind, the consequence to be drawn is for a more favourable consideration towards enlargement when investigation is completed, of course, among other factors - An appeal or revision shall also be construed as a facet of trial when it comes to the consideration of bail on suspension of sentence. (Para 7) Satender Kumar Antil v. Central Bureau of Investigation, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 577 : AIR 2022 SC 3386 : (2022) 10 SCC 51

Void and Voidable

Words and Phrases - Void and Voidable - discussed. (Para 8, 9) Jayashree v. Director Collegiate Education, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 237 : 2022 (4) SCALE 267