Supreme Court of India

R M D Chamarbaugwalla v Union of India

decided 1957-04-09 (reporter citation not confirmed)19571 min read
The case in brief30-second read
Facts
Promoters of prize competitions challenged the Prize Competitions Act 1955 on the ground that it covered competitions of skill as well as gambling.
Issue
What 'prize competition' means, and whether invalid parts could be severed.
Held
Read in the context of the Act's scheme and object, 'prize competition' meant competitions of a gambling nature. In any case the provisions were severable, and the Act was valid as applied to gambling competitions.
Principle
Words take meaning from context and object; valid parts of a statute survive if severable.

Facts

  • Promoters of prize competitions challenged the Prize Competitions Act 1955 on the ground that it covered competitions of skill as well as gambling.

Issue

  1. What 'prize competition' means, and whether invalid parts could be severed.

Held

  • Read in the context of the Act's scheme and object, 'prize competition' meant competitions of a gambling nature. In any case the provisions were severable, and the Act was valid as applied to gambling competitions.

Cite this

Citation

R M D Chamarbaugwalla v Union of India decided 1957-04-09 (reporter citation not confirmed)

Reported: https://api.sci.gov.in/jonew/judis/653.pdf ; https://indiankanoon.org/doc/725224. This is an educational summary, not the judgment itself. Cite the reported version in professional or academic work.