Supreme Court Clarifies When Laws Can Be Applied Retrospectively

The Supreme Court has clarified the principles governing the retrospective application of statutes.

The Court ruled that laws are generally presumed to operate prospectively unless explicitly or implicitly made retrospective.

Procedural laws can usually apply to pending proceedings, but statutes affecting vested rights or creating new obligations cannot be applied retrospectively unless clearly intended by the legislature.

The Court noted that amendments dealing with procedure, including appeals, are retrospective as long as they do not impair existing substantive rights, providing guidance on balancing legislative intent with protection of established legal rights.

[M. Rajendran & Ors. v M/S KPK Oils & Proteins India Pvt. Ltd. & Ors.]