The primary objective of statutory interpretation, according to GP Singh, is to discover the . The fundamental rule is that the intention must be gathered from the words used in the statute itself. 2. Fundamental Rules of Interpretation
: As of 2025, Singh remains the most cited authority in Indian high courts and SC on interpretation. His principles are routinely applied in GST, IBC, arbitration, and digital evidence statutes – proving their timelessness.
As Chief Justice T. S. Thakur remarked at the launch of the 14th edition, “The need for a book on Principles of Statutory Interpretation emerges because of a gap between the presumed legislative wisdom and the actual understanding of the law by the interpreters and implementers.” Justice G. P. Singh’s book bridges that gap with unmatched clarity and authority. principles of statutory interpretation gp singh high quality
The treatise warns that literal interpretation should not be applied blindly if it leads to absurdity. However, if the meaning is plain, the consequences—no matter how harsh—are the domain of the legislature, not the judiciary. 2. The Golden Rule: Modifying the Literal Meaning
Debates, committee reports, and statements of objects and reasons. Fundamental Rules of Interpretation : As of 2025,
What remedy did the legislature resolve to cure the disease? What is the true reason behind the remedy?
In legal publishing, "quality" is measured by authority, clarity, and practical utility. On all three counts, Justice Singh's work is peerless. Its high quality stems from several distinct features, all of which are evident in the latest editions: Union of India (1992)
: Courts look at the law before the Act, the "mischief" the Act was intended to remedy, and the specific reason for the new remedy. 3. Internal Aids to Construction
: In Mohan Kumar Singhania v. Union of India (1992), the Supreme Court, following Singh’s analysis, refused a literal reading of “month” in a customs notification because it would violate trade equality—adopting a contextual construction instead.