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The judgment of the Supreme Court in Rattan Lal v. State of Punjab by the application of Clause(1) of…

Rattan Lal v State of Punjab distinguishes adverse retrospective criminal laws from beneficial ones. Article 20(1) prevents retrospective creation of criminal liability or…

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The judgment of the Supreme Court in Rattan Lal v. State of Punjab by the application of Clause(1) of Article 20 of the Constitution of India, held that the said Clause prevents retrospective operation of

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Rattan Lal v State of Punjab distinguishes adverse retrospective criminal laws from beneficial ones. Article 20(1) prevents retrospective creation of criminal liability or imposition of a greater punishment, but it does not forbid a law that reduces the rigour of criminal law. Whether a beneficial provision applies retrospectively still depends on the statute’s language and interpretation.

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