Y.P. Mahna vs Bharat Television on 13 October, 1993
76. It has been argued (para 34 of the majority order at page 296 supra) that as a recognised rule of interpretation the remedial statutes ought to be construed liberally and the rule against retrospectivity should be applied with less insistence in respect thereof. Support in this behalf is sought from the decisions cited in Bharat Singh v. New Delhi Tuberculosis Centre [1986] 69 FJR 129 ; AIR 1986 SC 842, Ruston and Hornsby (India) Ltd. v. T. B. Kadam, AIR 1975 SC 2025 and Sree Bank Ltd, v. S. D. Roy and Co., AIR 1966 SC 1953. I am afraid, the so-called liberal construction does not in any way affect the established maxim pertaining to retrospective-operation of statutes. These cases are concerned with interpretation of certain provisions appearing in different enactments. I need not discuss all these rulings which proceed on the express language used and the circumstances just preceding and succeeding the particular enactment in question.