Principle of Harmonious Interpretation : The Approach of Indian Courts

Authors

  • Shivansh Dwivedi Student, Department of Law, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

Keywords:

Harmonious Construction, Judicial approach for Harmonious Construction, Rule of Interpretation.

Abstract

In India, the Constitution is regarded as the supreme law, and everything that is not in accordance with its provisions is regarded as ultravires. Certain norms of interpretation are applied to resolve discrepancies between Constitutional provisions when they occur. One such guideline, the "Principle of Harmonious Interpretation," is the subject of this essay. The rule is extremely important since it attempts to reconcile contradictory laws in order to find a workable solution. It also aims to defend the very intention of the constitution's writers while establishing the provisions. With the aid of several case laws, the paper's primary goal is to comprehend how Indian courts approached the harmonious rule before and after independence as well as the difficulties associated with it. The main objective of this project is understanding the legal principles and approach applied by Indian Courts on the application of the doctrine of harmonious construction mainly focusing on pre and post-independence by means of several case laws to maintain the existence of contradicting laws in order to find a middle ground through proper interpretation of the same. The paper also focuses on the important aspects kept in mind by the courts while applying the principle of harmonious construction and trying to interpret the contradicting laws with an aim of co-existence of laws. The paper also takes a look over the aspect of separation of power and how the judiciary refrains itself from stating any law as null and void as the power of judiciary is to only interpret the intend of legislature and not make of nullify laws.

References

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2. Ipsita Rout, Critical Study of the Doctrine Of Harmonious Construction, Vol 1 Issue 1, JUS CORPUS LAW JOURNAL, 177, 179 (2020).

3. CIT v. Hindustan Bulk Carriers, (2003) 3 SCC 57, p. 74

4. CIT, Supra note 10.

5. Sultana Begum v. Premchand Jain, AIR 1997 SC 1006, pp. 1009, 1010.

6. CIT v. Hindustan Bulk Carriers, (2003) 3 SCC 57.

7. Shankri Prasad vs. Union of India, AIR (1951) SC 455.

8. Aditya Mishra, Rule of Harmonious Construction: DPSP and Fundamental Rights, 4th June, 2016 http://lawmantra.co.in/rule-of-harmonious-constructiondpsp-and-fundamental-rights/ , Accessed on 26th Oct, 2022

9. In re the Central Provinces and Berar Sales of Motor Spirit and Lubricants Taxation Act, 1938 (Central Provinces and Ber, 1938 SCC OnLine PC 41.

10. Venkataramana Devaru vs. State of Mysore, AIR (2003) SC 3942

11. Ibid. Principle of Harmonious Interpretation Shivansh Dwivedi

12. Article 25(2)(b), Constitution of India, 1949.

13. Article 26(b), Constitution of India, 1949.

14. Sirsilk Ltd. v. Government of Andhra Pradesh, AIR 1964 SC 160

15. Section 17, Industrial Disputes Act, 1947

16. Section 18, Industrial Disputes Act, 1947

17. M.S.M. Sharma v. Sri Krishna Sinha, 1959 Supp (1) SCR 806

18. Article 19(1)(a), Constitution of India, 1949

19. Article 194(3), Constitution of India, 1949

20. Calcutta Gas Company Pvt. Ltd. vs. State of West Bengal, AIR (1962) SC 1044

21. Arjun Gupta, Harmonious and Beneficial Construction, 8th December, 2015 http://www.legalservicesindia.com/article/article/harmonious-and-beneficial-construction-1941- 1.html, 26th Oct. 2022.

22. Gujarat University vs. Krishna Rampanath Mudholkar, 1963 AIR 703

23. Upasana Kalgotra, Judicial Approach Towards the Rule of Harmonious Construction in India, Volume 13, SUPREMO AMICUS, 2019.

24. Prof. Yashpal and Anr. vs. State of Chhattisgarh, AIR (2005) SC 2026.

25. Ibid, para 20, 21, 24, 46

26. Aditya Mishra, The Doctrine of Harmonious Construction: Case Analysis: Prof. Yashpal and Anr. V. State of Chhattisgarh (AIR (2005) SC 2026), LAW MANTRA, 2016

27. Ishani Acharya, The Doctrine of Harmonious Construction in Interpretation and Construction of Statutes, International Journal of Law and Legal Jurisprudence Studies, 2014.

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Published

2022-12-15

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The Role Of Juvenile Justice System in India

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How to Cite

Principle of Harmonious Interpretation : The Approach of Indian Courts. (2022). Journal of Constitutional Law and Jurisprudence, 5(2), 24-31. https://lawjournals.celnet.in/index.php/Jolj/article/view/1097