Vs.

Judges: S.P. BHARUCHA, V,N, KHARE & A.P. MISRA, JJ.

Date of Judgment: Mar 24, 1999

See 23-A , 80J – Words, “produce” and “article or thing” – Meaning – External aids – Dictionary meaning – When permissible – Interpreting words when more than one meaning – Principle. Held that when dictionary gives more than one meaning. It is not safe to construe the meaning in dictionary, but should be construed in the context of Act.

Neither the word ‘produce’ nor the word ‘article’ has been defined in the Act. When the word is not so defined in the Act it may be permissible to refer to dictionary to find out the meaning of that word as it is understood in the common parlance. But where the dictionary gives divergent or more than one meaning of a word, in hthat case it is not safe to construe the said word according to the suggested dictionary meaning of that word. In such a situation the word has to be construed in the context of the provisions of the Act and regard must also be had to the legislative history of the provisions of the Act and the scheme of the Act. It is settled principle of interpretation that the meaning of the words, occurring in the provisions of the Act must take their colour from the context in which they are so used. When the word read in the context conveys a meaning, that meaning would be the appropriate meaning of that word and in that case we need not rely upon the dictionary meaning of that word.(Para 9)