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Tuesday, May 14

Cardinal rule of interpretation is that words, phrases and sentences are to be given their natural, plain and clear meaning


V.L.S. Finance Limited vs. Union of India & Ors. Civil Appeal No. 2102 of 2004, Decided on May 10, 2013
 

It was held:

“As is well settled, while interpreting the provisions of a statute, the court avoids rejection or addition of words and resort to that only in exceptional circumstances to achieve the purpose of Act or give purposeful meaning. It is also a cardinal rule of interpretation that words, phrases and sentences are to be given their natural, plain and clear meaning. When the language is clear and unambiguous, it must be interpreted in an ordinary sense and no addition or alteration of the words or expressions used is permissible".

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