Unit V · Interpretation of Statutes

Avoiding absurdity, reading down and constitutional conformity

Study aid only. Confirm statute numbers with the current bare Act and the official OU LL.B. (3-YDC) 2024–25 syllabus PDF.

Statute sections

Act / instrument	Section	Name
Constitution of India	13	Laws inconsistent with fundamental rights
Constitution of India	141	Law declared by the Supreme Court binds all courts

AIR 1957 SC 628 · Supreme Court of India

Where a statute is in part valid, the court severs the unconstitutional application if what remains is workable.

AIR 1955 SC 661 · Supreme Court of India

A construction that renders a constitutional limitation on State taxation effective is to be preferred to one that makes it futile.

AIR 1967 SC 276 · Supreme Court of India

Penal confiscatory provisions are not given retrospective reach in the absence of express language.