Statment of Objects and Reasons

So far as Statement of Objects and Reasons, accompanying a legislative bill is concerned, it is permissible to refer to it for understanding the background, the antecedent state of affairs, the surrounding circumstances in relation to the statute and the evil which the statute sought to remedy. But, it cannot be used to ascertain the true meaning and effect of the substantive provision of the statute. (Devadoss (dead) by L. Rs, v. Veera Makali Amman Koil Athalur, AIR 1998 SC 750.

Let us see the common practices:

Objects and reasons of the Act.-The objects and reasons of the Act are to be taken into consideration in interpreting the provisions of the statute and not the debates in Parliament on the Bill.

The law is well settled that it is permissible to look into the circumstances which prevailed at the time when the law was passed and which necessitated the passing of that law to determine the purpose or object of the legislation.

The maxim“contemporanea expositio”- Application of.– The maxim “contemporanea ecpositio” as laid down by Coke is applied in construing ancient statutes but not to interpreting Acts which are comparatively modern.Further, it has been observed that in a modern progressive society it would be unreasonable to confine the intention of a Legislature to the meaning attributable to the word used at the time the law was made and, unless a contrary intention appears, an interpretation should be given to the words used to take in new facts and situations, if the words are capable of comprehending them

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