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Question- 07 हितप्रद व्याख्या को निर्णीत वादों की सहायता से समझाइये।

Explain Beneficial Construction with the help of decided cases.

Answer-07

Beneficial Construction in the Interpretation of Statutes is a principle where courts interpret a statute in a manner that benefits the weaker, disadvantaged, or marginalized sections of society. This is particularly relevant in social welfare and remedial legislation. The goal is to uphold the legislative intent and prevent injustice, focusing on achieving the statute's purpose rather than a narrow, literal interpretation.

Here is a pointwise explanation of the concept, supported by decided cases:

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1. Definition and Purpose

             Beneficial construction aims to interpret statutes in a way that ensures justice and advances the objective of the law.

             It is typically applied in cases of social welfare laws, labor laws, and remedial legislation to protect the rights of the disadvantaged.

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2. Principle: Liberal and Purposive Interpretation

             Beneficial statutes are to be interpreted liberally to fulfill their objective.

             The emphasis is on the spirit of the law rather than the literal words.

Case Law:

             Alembic Chemical Works Co. Ltd. v. Workmen (1961)

The Supreme Court held that labor laws must be interpreted liberally to benefit the workers and prevent exploitation, as intended by the legislation.

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3. Presumption in Favor of Beneficiaries

             Courts presume that the legislature intended to confer the maximum benefit to the targeted group.

             Any ambiguity is resolved in favor of the beneficiaries.

Case Law:

             Bengal Immunity Co. v. State of Bihar (1955)

Ambiguities in taxation laws affecting the public were interpreted in a way that avoided undue hardship to taxpayers.

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4. Exceptions to Beneficial Construction

             The principle is not absolute and cannot be used to override clear statutory language.

             Courts cannot rewrite statutes under the guise of beneficial interpretation.

Case Law:

             D.A.V. College v. State of Punjab (1971)

The court held that when the words of the statute are clear, they cannot be ignored for a liberal interpretation.

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5. Applicability in Welfare Legislation

             Beneficial construction is predominantly applied in statutes dealing with:

o             Labor rights (e.g., Industrial Disputes Act).

o             Social security (e.g., Employees' Provident Funds Act).

o             Human rights (e.g., Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act).

Case Law:

             M. C. Mehta v. Union of India (1987)

The court expanded the interpretation of environmental laws to provide justice to affected communities, focusing on public welfare.

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6. Principle of Harmonious Construction

             Beneficial construction often works in harmony with other principles of statutory interpretation to resolve conflicts between provisions.

Case Law:

             Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973)

While interpreting constitutional provisions, the court balanced the fundamental rights of individuals with the directive principles of state policy, ensuring a beneficial outcome for society.

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7. Golden Rule in Beneficial Construction

             Courts apply the golden rule to avoid absurdities and ensure the statute serves its intended purpose.

Case Law:

             Tinsukhia Electric Supply Co. Ltd. v. State of Assam (1990)

The court applied the golden rule to interpret statutes beneficially, preventing an interpretation that would defeat the law’s objective.

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8. Focus on Social Justice

             Beneficial construction aligns with the constitutional principles of equality and social justice under Articles 14 and 21 of the Indian Constitution.

Case Law:

             Chairman, Railway Board v. Chandrima Das (2000)

The court interpreted the law broadly to uphold the right to compensation for a foreign national under the public law remedy.

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Conclusion

Beneficial construction plays a critical role in achieving justice and ensuring that laws designed to uplift vulnerable sections are not defeated by technicalities or narrow interpretations. Courts carefully balance this principle with legislative intent and clarity in statutory language.

 

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