Synonymous Words, Different Meanings

Posted on by Rudrajyoti Nath Ray

In Gibson v. Skibs, (1966) 2 All ER 478 it was held, “prima facie one would expect that when two different words, although practically synonymous in ordinary use, are employed in different parts of the same regulation dealing with the same kind of topic, they are intended to have some different meaning.” SC held in Kailash Nath Agarwal, (2003) 4 SCC 305 [Paragraph 20], “the general rule is that when two different words are used by the same statute, prima facie one has to construe these different words as carrying different meanings.”

Also see, Sunil Kumar Kori v. Gopal Das Kabra, [Civil Appeal No. 9728-9729 of 2016] decided on 27.09.2016.

'The Last Word' seeks to include not only wise and witty sayings but also curiosities. These words are not of obligation but of delight. I am not alone in my refusal to believe, law is tedious. For all who escaped these percipient eyes, mea culpa maxima. History, after all, has many cunning passages, contrived corridors and issues.