KARNATAKA.- In sub-section (1) of section 24 :- (i) words and punctuation mark "or State Government shall" be omitted. (ii) for the words "appoint
Interpretation of,
Statutes-Reference to title, statement of objects,
punctuation, speeches, original Bill.
HEADNOTE:
Section 2 of the Supreme Court Advocates (Practice in High
Courts ... obscurity in the meaning of a
statute.
Per MUKHERJEA and DAS JJ.-Punctuation is after all a minor
element in the construction of a statute
Late Sir Rupert Cross (IIIrd Edition) which reads as under: -
"Punctuation forms part of the statute and, even if the reader ... wary of older Acts, in which punctuation was inserted after enactment by the printer, the punctuation of modern statutes must be given the significance
treated as independent and used as such in Entry 11-A, punctuation as
used therein would become relevant and by necessary implication the High Courts ... World
Dictionary (Third Edition) has been defined to mean a mark of punctuation
indicating a degree of separation greater than that marked by the comma
petitioners, registered firms. Lastly, it is urged that the text,
punctuation and the set up of the proviso supports the contention that
interest on advance ... advance tax for the assessment year in question. It is contended that punctuation cannot be a guide to interpret statutes and reliance is placed upon
further contended that the manner in which the said notifications have been punctuated shows that "levy" goes with "crushing season", supporting ... petitioner that the manner in which the notifications have been punctuated shows that the words "for the crushing season" should be taken
occasion to consider and observe thus:
"When a statute is carefully punctuated and there is doubt about its meaning, a weight should undoubtedly ... given to the punctuation, vide Crawford on Statutory Constructions page 343. I need not deny that punctuation may have its uses in some cases
life, as having regard" etc.
4. As the sentence is punctuated in the state publications of the Act it seems ... Twentyman [1903] P. 82.
6. I can see no reason why the punctuation of the editions of the Act issued by the Government of India
35189/2011
& 6318/2012
-24-
It may be argued that punctuation is only a minor element
in the construction of a Statute, and therefore ... same time, when a
statute is carefully punctuated and there is doubt about its
meaning, weight should undoubtedly be given to the
punctuation as well
only
distinction between the two was one of punctuation, specifically, the
existence of a single "comma" following the word "process ... list of case law which lay down the rules
for when punctuation is not to be taken seriously while interpreting an act or
treaty