Law of Meetings - Commercial, Political and Social

This book deals with all the stages and aspects of a ‘meeting’—right from the beginning till the end. It is as essential to every chairman as a sail is to a navigator. It gives a vivid picture of functions such as debates, motions, points of order, quorum, rules and regulations, etc, with a special review of the ‘noconfidence motion,’ pointing out the invidious distinction between the present parliamentary procedure and the procedure the parliamentarians themselves prescribe by law, for other public bodies at the lower level. The unequal nature of qualifications and disqualifications of members at different levels is also pointed out. The rights and duties of the members in the corporate world are highlighted with special features such as defamation, contempt of court and judicial review, although not in a strict sense a part of the meeting; as well as unparliamentary phrases that have been added to enhance the practicality and usefulness of the book. The book is a very concentrated attempt to promote standardisation of the rules and laws of ‘meetings’.

Meeting is where minds meet........................................................................... 1
I. Definitions .......................................................................................... 1
— One-Man Meeting...................................................................... 2
— Public meeting ........................................................................... 3
— Private meeting .......................................................................... 4
— Rival or paralal meeting............................................................. 4
II. Meeting in Ancient India .................................................................... 4
III. Essentials of a Valid Meeting ............................................................. 7
IV. Other Features of a Meeting ............................................................... 8
V. Classification of Meetings .................................................................. 9
— Street Meetings .......................................................................... 11
VI. English Law........................................................................................ 11
— Police Permission....................................................................... 12
— Statutory Restrictions................................................................. 13
VII. Chairman’s Duty................................................................................. 14
VIII. Some Important Cases on Different Aspect of a Meeting .................. 15
Chapter 2
PURPOSE OF THE MEETING
I. Definitions .......................................................................................... 17
II. Purpose Essential ................................................................................ 17
— Public Meetings ......................................................................... 17
— Private Meeting.......................................................................... 18
III. Unlawful Purpose ............................................................................... 18
IV. Attributes of a Valid Purpose.............................................................. 19
V. Injunction............................................................................................ 19
Chapter 3
MEMBER
I. Definition ............................................................................................ 22
xii Law of Meetings—Contents
— Member...................................................................................... 22
— Members of Parliament.............................................................. 22
— Member by proxy ...................................................................... 23
— Life member............................................................................... 23
II. Eligibility and Qualification ............................................................... 23
— Member & Public meeting......................................................... 23
— Member of a Private Meeting .................................................... 23
III. Disqualifications ................................................................................. 24
— Detection (Schedule Ten) .......................................................... 25
— Office of Profit........................................................................... 26
— Disqualifications under the Maharashtra Municipal Councils
Act 1965 .................................................................................... 27
— Disqualifications under Maharashtra Municipalities Act, 1965 28
— Disqualifications of Village Panchayat Member ....................... 29
— Disqualification under section 14-A(a) and (b) of the Bombay
Village Panchayat Act, 1958 ..................................................... 30
IV Rights and Duties................................................................................ 31
(A) Members’ Rights (General) ....................................................... 31
(B) Members’ Duties (General) ....................................................... 32
(C) Lok Sabha Member’s right ........................................................ 32
— Sittings .............................................................................. 32
— Debate............................................................................... 33
— Resolutions ....................................................................... 33
— Questions .......................................................................... 33
— Adjournment on public matter.......................................... 33
— Adjournment & Closure ................................................... 33
— Select Committee & Circulation of Bills.......................... 33
— Amendments to Bills ........................................................ 33
— Separating clauses............................................................. 33
— Passing Bills ..................................................................... 34
— Adjourning debate ............................................................ 34
— Withdraw Bill ................................................................... 34
— Bills to Rajya Sabha ......................................................... 34
— Passing bill on report ........................................................ 34
— Petitions ............................................................................ 34
— Resolutions ....................................................................... 35
— Motion of Public importance............................................ 35
— Short Duration Discussions .............................................. 35
— Colling Attention .............................................................. 35
— No confidence motion ...................................................... 35
— Making statement as minister ........................................... 35
— Removal............................................................................ 36
— Budget............................................................................... 36
— Finance Bill....................................................................... 36
— Privilege............................................................................ 36
— Arrest ................................................................................ 36
Law of Meetings—Contents xiii
— Resignation ....................................................................... 36
— Vacancy ............................................................................ 37
— Absence ............................................................................ 37
— Acting as leader of the House........................................... 37
— Secret proceedings............................................................ 37
— Committee work ............................................................... 37
— Withdrawing motion......................................................... 37
— Discussing Policies ........................................................... 37
— Personal explanation......................................................... 37
— Replying ........................................................................... 38
— Requesting guidance from Speaker .................................. 38
— Closure & Decision .......................................................... 38
— Voting ............................................................................... 38
— Laying papers on table...................................................... 38
— Challenging vote............................................................... 38
— Suspension of member...................................................... 38
— Suspending rule ................................................................ 38
— Personal explanation......................................................... 38
V. Restraints on Debators ........................................................................ 38
— Lok Sabha Rules ........................................................................ 38
— Member’s conduct while in House ............................................ 39
VI. Nominated Members of Comm-issions .............................................. 41
VII. Members of Local Authorities............................................................ 41
VIII. Member under Company Law ............................................................ 41
— ‘Public Officer’ .......................................................................... 43
— Company & Member ................................................................. 44
IX. Cessession of Membership of a Company.......................................... 44
X. Member’s Rights under Company Law.............................................. 44
XI. Members Duties and Liabilities.......................................................... 51
XII. A Member Ceases to be a Member of a Meeting of a body ............... 52
XIII. Some Cases......................................................................................... 53
Chapter 4
RULES & INTERPRETATION OF RULES
I. Definition ............................................................................................ 55
II. Unreasonableness................................................................................ 56
III. Classification of Rules ........................................................................ 56
IV. Parliamentary Rule ............................................................................. 57
(a) Lok Sabha .................................................................................. 57
(b) Rajya Sabha ............................................................................... 57
V. State Legislature Rules ....................................................................... 58
VI. Municipal Rules.................................................................................. 58
VII. University Rules ................................................................................. 58
VIII. Rules of Registered Bodies................................................................. 58
xiv Law of Meetings—Contents
IX. Rules of Unregistered Bodies ............................................................. 58
X. Byelaws as Contract............................................................................ 59
XI. Suspension of Rule ............................................................................. 59
XII. Amendment to Rules .......................................................................... 59
XIII. Rules of Interpretation ........................................................................ 59
(a) Liberal and strict construction ................................................... 59
(b) Natural meaning of words ......................................................... 60
(c) Common man’s sense of ordinary prudence.............................. 60
(d) Reasonableness .......................................................................... 60
(e) Intra vires................................................................................... 60
(f) Intension of the legislature......................................................... 60
(g) Reconciling conflicts ................................................................. 60
(h) Court’s power is supreme—in respect of interpretation ............ 61
XIV. Company Documents.......................................................................... 61
XV. Chairman’s Duty................................................................................. 61
XVI. Some Important Cases ........................................................................ 61
Chapter 5
CONVENTIONS
I. Definitions .......................................................................................... 63
II. Judicial View ...................................................................................... 64
III. Enforceability ..................................................................................... 64
IV. British Conventions Acceptable ......................................................... 64
V. Ancient Indian View........................................................................... 65
VI. Conventions turned into Law.............................................................. 65
VII. Parliamentary Conventions................................................................. 65
VIII. Conventions of a Debate..................................................................... 66
IX. Conventions About Member’s Conduct ............................................. 67
X. Conventions dehorse the Rules of Parliament .................................... 67
XI. English Law........................................................................................ 68
(a) History ....................................................................................... 68
(b) Notable Conventions ................................................................. 68
(c) Conventions becoming statute................................................... 69
(d) Motives for obedience to conventions....................................... 70
XII. Chairman’s Duty................................................................................ 70
Chapter 6
CONVENER
I. Definitions .......................................................................................... 71
II. Conveners ........................................................................................... 71
III. Competent Convener .......................................................................... 71
(a) Parliament .................................................................................. 71
Law of Meetings—Contents xv
(b) State Legislature ........................................................................ 72
(c) Companies ................................................................................. 72
(d) Municipalities and Zilla Parishad .............................................. 72
(e) Mumbai Municipal Corporation ................................................ 73
(f) Co-operative Societies ............................................................... 73
(g) Universities ................................................................................ 73
(h) Trusts ......................................................................................... 73
(i) Cabinets ..................................................................................... 73
IV. Conveners of Public Meetings............................................................ 74
V. Conveners of Private Meetings........................................................... 74
VI. Default in Convening Meeting ........................................................... 74
VII. Powers of Court .................................................................................. 74
(i) High Court ................................................................................. 74
(ii) Civil Court ................................................................................. 75
Chapter 7
AGENDA
I. Definition ............................................................................................ 76
II. General Principles of an Agenda ........................................................ 77
III. Accompaniments to Agenda............................................................... 78
IV. Agenda of a Public Meeting ............................................................... 78
V. Parliamentary Agenda (Business)....................................................... 78
(a) Preparation................................................................................. 78
(b) Explanations .............................................................................. 79
(c) Procedural aspects ..................................................................... 79
VI. Agenda—in General ........................................................................... 80
VII. Agenda of Requisitioned Meeting of a Company .............................. 80
VIII. Agenda in other Bodies....................................................................... 81
— Agenda of a Co-operative Society Meeting............................... 81
IX. Unfinished Agenda ............................................................................. 81
— Reading the agenda in the meeting............................................ 82
X. Chairman’s Duty................................................................................. 82
— Marginal notings........................................................................ 82
XI. Committee Agenda ............................................................................. 82
— Business ..................................................................................... 83
Chapter 8
NOTICE
I. Definitions .......................................................................................... 85
— Amending the Notice................................................................. 86
II. Essentials of a Notice.......................................................................... 86
III. Service of Notice ................................................................................ 87
xvi Law of Meetings—Contents
(a) Modes of service........................................................................ 87
(b) Deemed effective service........................................................... 88
(c) Constructive Notice ................................................................... 88
IV. Non Receipt of a Notice...................................................................... 88
V. Waiver of Notice................................................................................. 89
VI. Notice not Necessary .......................................................................... 89
VII. Interpretation of Notice....................................................................... 89
VIII. Notice in Parliament Working ............................................................ 90
— Notice (summons) for joint sittings of Houses ..................... 90
IX. Notices under Municipal Laws ........................................................... 95
X. Notice of Committee—Meeting ......................................................... 95
— Notice under the Bombay Village Panchayat Act ..................... 96
XI. Notices under Company Law ............................................................. 97
1. General meeting......................................................................... 97
— Board meetings ................................................................. 98
XII. Chairman’s Duty................................................................................. 99
XIII. Case Law............................................................................................. 99
Chapter 9
CHAIRMAN
I. Definitions .......................................................................................... 103
II. Selection, Election and Appointment ................................................. 104
— Nominations............................................................................... 105
III. Constitutional Provisions.................................................................... 106
IV. Foreign Law........................................................................................ 106
V. Chairman’s Qualifications .................................................................. 107
VI. Rights and Duties of a Chairman........................................................ 108
VII. Lok Sabha—Speaker Chairman.......................................................... 110
— Election ...................................................................................... 110
— Term........................................................................................... 111
— Qualifications............................................................................. 111
— Desirable .................................................................................... 111
— Dress .......................................................................................... 111
— Rights, Duties and Powers......................................................... 112
1. Right to function............................................................... 112
2. Head of Secretariat ........................................................... 112
3. Sole representative............................................................ 112
4. Recognition to parties....................................................... 112
5. Beginning and termination of section of the House ......... 112
6. Working of the House....................................................... 112
7. Sittings .............................................................................. 112
8. Joint Sitting....................................................................... 112
9. Personal Views ................................................................. 112
10. Freedom of Speech and Immunity.................................... 112
Law of Meetings—Contents xvii
11. Honouring Dignitaries ...................................................... 113
12. Debate............................................................................... 113
13. Public interest Debate....................................................... 113
14. Questions .......................................................................... 113
15. Admissibility of motions .................................................. 113
16. Rulings.............................................................................. 113
17. Interpretation .................................................................... 113
18. Money bills ....................................................................... 113
19. Adjournments ................................................................... 114
20. Committees....................................................................... 114
21. Privileges .......................................................................... 114
22. Order and peace ................................................................ 115
23. Defection .......................................................................... 115
24. Speaker & Government .................................................... 115
25. Contempt of House........................................................... 115
26. Outsiders........................................................................... 115
27. Police ................................................................................ 116
28. Record............................................................................... 116
29. Residuary & Inherent Powers........................................... 116
Chapter 10
QUORUM
I. Definitions .......................................................................................... 117
II. History ................................................................................................ 118
III. Quorum in parliament......................................................................... 118
— Quorum in Committee ............................................................... 119
IV. In Municipalities................................................................................. 119
V. In Companies ...................................................................................... 119
VI. In Co-operative Societies.................................................................... 120
VII. Quorum at all Stages........................................................................... 120
— The Rule 74 of Rules of House of State, says ........................... 121
VIII. Absence of Quorum ............................................................................ 122
IX. Important Case-Law ........................................................................... 122
Chapter 11
QUESTIONS
I. Right of Information ........................................................................... 125
II. Parliamentary Rules about Question for Information......................... 125
III. Admissibility of Questions ................................................................. 127
IV. Supplementaries Questions................................................................. 128
V. Elucidation.......................................................................................... 129
VI. State Legislature Rules ....................................................................... 129
xviii Law of Meetings—Contents
— Questions in local bodies ........................................................... 130
VII. Questions in other Meetings ............................................................... 130
Chapter 12
DEBATE
I. Definitions .......................................................................................... 131
II. Three Aspects of Debate..................................................................... 132
(A) Subject ....................................................................................... 132
— Subject of public meetings ............................................... 132
— Subject of Private meetings .............................................. 133
— Restraints on subject......................................................... 133
(B) Debators..................................................................................... 133
— Debator’s rights/duties...................................................... 134
— Conduct of a debator......................................................... 135
— Restraints on debator ........................................................ 135
— Public Speaker .................................................................. 136
— Qualities of a good Speaker.............................................. 136
— Preparation of a Speech .................................................... 137
(C) Decision ..................................................................................... 138
III. Essentials of a Debate ......................................................................... 139
IV. Tables.................................................................................................. 140
— Table ‘A’.................................................................................... 140
— Three aspects with explanations ................................................ 140
— Table ‘B’—Modes and methods................................................ 143
V. Breaking the Debate............................................................................ 144
VI. Course of Debate And Conclusions.................................................... 145
VII. Accompanying Features of a Debate .................................................. 145
VIII. Chairman’s Duty................................................................................. 146
Chapter 13
MOTIONS
I. Definitions .......................................................................................... 148
II. Initial Proceedings of a Meeting......................................................... 148
III. Importance of motions ........................................................................ 149
IV. Classification of motions .................................................................... 149
A. Subject-wise............................................................................... 149
B. On the basis of Importance, nature and utility........................... 150
C. Motions in Indian Parliament (Table C & C1) .......................... 150
D. Debatable and Non debatable (Table ‘D’)................................. 150
E. ‘Amendable and ‘Unamendable’ (Table E)............................... 150
F. Requiring second and not requiring second (Table F)............... 150
G. Statutory or Non-statutory ......................................................... 150
Law of Meetings—Contents xix
V. Explanations of Motions in Table ‘A’ ................................................ 150
Classification of Motions.................................................................... 150
1. To initiate a debate (See Lok Sabha Rule 74, 77) ..................... 150
2. To amend the subject (Lok Sabha Rules 79, 86, 344 to 347) .... 151
3. To postpone and/or refer to a committee or to adjourn the
debate on a topic or the meeting by closure (Lok Sabha Rules
340, 341, 362, 375).................................................................... 151
To adjourn the House (Lok Sabha Rules 56 to 63).................... 152
4. To cut off or suppress the debate ............................................... 152
5. To avoid consideration of or suppress a question for the entire
session or to post-pone indefinitely ........................................... 153
6. To reconsider the question......................................................... 153
7. To call for the order of day/agenda/business in Lok Sabha....... 153
8. To interpret, amend, suspend the rules and to move appeals
from decisions of the chair. (Lok Sabha Rules 331, 377).......... 154
9. To demand papers or information and seek leave to read
papers (Lok Sabha Rules 305, 334, 368, 369)........................... 154
10. To consider the rights and privileges of members and the
House and discipline, order, their absence and vacancies (Lok
Sabha Rules 222 to 228 and 284) .............................................. 154
11. To raise any urgent important business for short discussion.
(Lok Sabha Rules 54, 55) .......................................................... 155
12. Memorable events, tragic events, condolences, reverential
references, thanks giving etc...................................................... 155
13. Government policy, legis-lative opinion, public interest. (rule
342 of Lok Sabha Rules) ........................................................... 155
14. To elect officers of the Legislature & nominations.(Lok Sabha
Rule 7 & 8) ................................................................................ 155
15. The removal or impeachment (Lok Sabha Rules 200 to 203). .. 155
16. Motions of confidence and no confidence (See the chapter
with this caption. (Lok Sabha Rules 184, 198, 199).................. 156
17. Voting–ways of –Division of Polls............................................ 156
18. To close a debate or meeting (Lok Sabha Rules 362 to 367B).. 156
19. To avoid invalidates: Points of Order, Quorum and call of the
House. ........................................................................................ 156
20. Dispensing with reading of the Minutes. ................................... 156
21. To withdraw a motion (Lok Sabha Rule 339) ........................... 157
22. To cancel a meeting in emergency ............................................ 157
VI. Motions to stop or cut short or interrupt the debate............................ 158
VII. Majority .............................................................................................. 159
VIII. The priority among motions ............................................................... 160
IX. Chairman’s Duty................................................................................. 161
Table ‘A’.................................................................................... 161
Table B ...................................................................................... 163
Table ‘C’.................................................................................... 165
Table C-2 ................................................................................... 166
Table ‘D’—Debatable and Non-debatable motion.................... 167
xx Law of Meetings—Contents
Table ‘E’—Motions................................................................... 168
Table ‘F’—Motions ................................................................... 168
Chapter 14
POINT OF ORDER
I. Purpose ............................................................................................... 170
II. Member’s Rights and Duties .............................................................. 170
III. Chairman’s Power............................................................................... 170
IV. Parliament Rules ................................................................................. 170
V. Admissibility....................................................................................... 171
VI. State Legislative Rules........................................................................ 171
VII. Way to raise point of order ................................................................. 172
VIII. Chairman’s Duty................................................................................. 172
Chapter 15
CONFIDENCE & NO CONFIDENCE MOTION
I. Definitions .......................................................................................... 173
II. Constitutional Provisions.................................................................... 173
III. Collective responsibility ..................................................................... 174
(a) Concept...................................................................................... 174
(b) English Law ............................................................................... 175
(c) Indian Law................................................................................. 175
IV. Procedure in Parliament...................................................................... 175
V. Loss of Confidence ............................................................................. 176
VI. Motion of Confidence......................................................................... 177
VII. Natural Justice and Violation of Principles ........................................ 178
VIII. Exclusion of Council of States............................................................ 181
IX. People are the sufferers....................................................................... 181
X. Principles to be followed .................................................................... 181
XI. Statutory provisions regarding charges/reasons for ‘No Confidence
Motion’ ............................................................................................... 184
XII. Chairman’s Duty................................................................................. 186
Chapter 16
RESOLUTIONS PETITIONS &
REPRESENTATIONS
Resolution
I. General................................................................................................ 189
II. Definitions .......................................................................................... 190
III. Parliamentary Resolutions .................................................................. 190
Law of Meetings—Contents xxi
Resolutions (In Lok Sabha & Rajyasabha)......................................... 190
A. Loksabha Resolutions ........................................................... 190
— Admissibility .................................................................... 191
B. Rajya Sabha Resolutions....................................................... 191
IV. Constitutional/Statutory Resolutions .................................................. 192
V. Resolutions (In State Legislature)....................................................... 194
A. Assembly ................................................................................... 194
B. Council (Before the Maharashtra Legislative Council under
the Maharashtra Legislative Council Rules).............................. 195
VI. Municipal Bodies................................................................................ 196
(A) Under the Maharashtra Municipal Council Act, 1965............... 196
(B) Under the Maharashtra Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti
Act 1961 .................................................................................... 196
(C) Under Bombay Village Panchayat Act, 1958............................ 196
VII. Resolution Under Companies Act, 1956 ............................................ 196
— Special Resolution .................................................................... 196
— Extraordinary Resolution........................................................... 198
VIII. Case Law............................................................................................. 198
Petitions & Representations
Petitions .............................................................................................. 200
I. Definitions .......................................................................................... 200
II. Petition in Parliament.......................................................................... 200
II-A Petitions in Lok Sabha (1) Purpose ........................................... 200
II-B Petitions in Rajya Sabha (Rules 137 to 153 of the Rules of
procedure & conduct of Business in the council states) ............ 202
Form & Contents ....................................................................... 202
III. Petitions in State Legislature .............................................................. 203
Representations in Lok Sabha............................................................. 203
Chapter 17
DEFAMATION
I. Definitions .......................................................................................... 205
II. Exceptions & Defences....................................................................... 206
III. Who can initiate proceeding? ............................................................. 209
IV. Defamation and Parliament ................................................................ 209
V. Defamation & State Legislature ......................................................... 210
VI. English Law of Defamation................................................................ 211
VII. Defamation and Contempt of Court.................................................... 212
VIII. Chairman’s Duty................................................................................. 212
IX. Important Cases .................................................................................. 213
xxii Law of Meetings—Contents
Chapter 18
CONTEMPT OF COURT
I. Definitions .......................................................................................... 215
II. The Powers of Supreme Court and High Court .................................. 216
— Lack of Jurisdiction ................................................................... 216
— Criticism of Judiciary ................................................................ 216
III. Defences.............................................................................................. 216
IV. Punishment ......................................................................................... 218
V. Contempt of Tribunals ........................................................................ 218
VI. Apology .............................................................................................. 219
— English Law–aid of ................................................................... 219
VII. Contemnors......................................................................................... 219
— Company Contempt by:............................................................. 219
— Contempt by High placed .......................................................... 219
— Validity of order. Not to be challenged. .................................... 219
— Court wish & order .................................................................... 219
VIII. Service and Notice of Court Order ..................................................... 220
— Filing Court Case....................................................................... 220
— Jurisdiction - Special.................................................................. 220
— False Affidavit ........................................................................... 220
— Publication, press and contempt ................................................ 220
— Contempt of Court ..................................................................... 221
IX. Chairman’s Duty................................................................................. 221
Chapter 19
STRANGERS AT THE MEETINGS
(A) Police .................................................................................................. 223
I. Principles of Police action ......................................................... 223
II. Police Powers............................................................................. 224
III. English Law............................................................................... 226
IV. Emergency provisions ............................................................... 227
V. Police & Gram Panchayat.......................................................... 227
(B) Press .................................................................................................... 228
I. At Private Meetings ................................................................... 228
II. Presss at Public Meetings .......................................................... 228
III. Press at Parliament Meetings..................................................... 228
IV. Press at Other Meetings ............................................................. 229
(C) Public .................................................................................................. 229
I. At Loksabha and Municipal bodies ........................................... 229
— Strangers at Municipal Bodies.......................................... 230
II. General Public and Public Meeting ........................................... 231
III. Public at Private Meetings ......................................................... 231
(D) Constititional Authorities.................................................................... 231
Law of Meetings—Contents xxiii
(E) Designated Officers ............................................................................ 232
(F) Employees/Advisors/Consultants or Contractors ............................... 232
Chapter 20
VOTING
I. Definitions .......................................................................................... 233
II. Sense of the House.............................................................................. 234
III Types of Voting .................................................................................. 234
— Voice Vote ................................................................................. 235
— Ballot ......................................................................................... 235
— Poll............................................................................................. 235
— Division ..................................................................................... 235
IV. Abstaintion.......................................................................................... 236
V. Proxy................................................................................................... 236
VI. Casting Vote ....................................................................................... 237
VII. Majority .............................................................................................. 237
VIII. Chairman’s Duty................................................................................. 239
IX. Some important cases ......................................................................... 239
Chapter 21
MINUTES
I. Definitions .......................................................................................... 241
II. Essentials of Minutes .......................................................................... 242
III. Loose—Leaf Minute—Books............................................................. 242
IV. Method of Keeping Minutes ............................................................... 242
V. Confirmation....................................................................................... 243
VI. Alterations........................................................................................... 244
VII. Inspection............................................................................................ 244
VIII. Minutes and Parliamentary Proceedings............................................. 245
IX. Minutes (under Company Law).......................................................... 246
X. Chairman’s Duty................................................................................. 247
XI. Case Law............................................................................................. 248
Chapter 22
NATURAL JUSTICE
I. Definitions and Similar Terms............................................................ 249
II. Two Basic Principles .......................................................................... 250
III. Different Views................................................................................... 250
(a) Shackelton in his book on meetings states ................................ 250
(b) M.P. Jain’s enumeration ............................................................ 250
xxiv Law of Meetings—Contents
(c) Two basic principles and Bias ................................................... 251
IV. Natural Justice–A Procedural Law ..................................................... 252
V. Encient Indian View ........................................................................... 252
VI. English Law ........................................................................................ 253
(a) History ....................................................................................... 253
(b) Halsbury’s View ........................................................................ 253
VII. Universal Application ......................................................................... 254
VIII. Court to give effect ............................................................................. 254
(a) Not to deny what is given by law .............................................. 254
(b) Presumption of good faith in Administration ........................... 254
IX. Principles of natural justice as enforced in courts .............................. 254
X. Natural justice in company matters .................................................... 256
XI. Natural justice at general meetings..................................................... 256
XII. Natural justice in municipal matters ................................................... 257
XIII. Natural justice in private bodies or clubs............................................ 258
XIV. Exclusion of the principles ................................................................. 258
Chapter 23
JUDICIAL REVIEW & CONTROL
I. Definitions .......................................................................................... 261
II. Judicial Review under Indian Constitution......................................... 261
III. English Law ........................................................................................ 263
IV. Judicial Review in Lower Courts........................................................ 263
V. Grounds for Judicial Review .............................................................. 263
VI. Vitiating Factors in Decisions............................................................. 264
VII. Principles for Judicial Review ............................................................ 265
VIII. Limitations on ‘Judicial Review’........................................................ 265
IX. Interference by Courts ........................................................................ 266
X. Non-Interference of Court .................................................................. 267
(i) Internal matter............................................................................ 267
(ii) Non-internal matters .................................................................. 267
— Internal matters of Voluntary Bodies ............................... 268
XI. Judicial Review in Company Affairs.................................................. 268
XII. Judicial Review in matters of unregistered Bodies............................. 269
XIII. Chairman’s duty.................................................................................. 270
XIV. Case Law............................................................................................. 270
Chapter 24
UNPARLIAMENTARY PHRASES
I. Definitions .......................................................................................... 271
II. Speaker to decides .............................................................................. 271
III. Persons & bodies targeted................................................................... 271
Law of Meetings—Contents xxv
IV. Words/phrases used and individuals targeted ..................................... 272
V. Other parliaments and such wards ...................................................... 272
VI. Deplorable but not unparliamentary words ........................................ 273
VII. Wards objectionable by context.......................................................... 273
VIII. Classification of unparliamentary expansions .................................... 273
IX. Brief nature of inclusion of phrases in this book ................................ 273
X. List of unparliamentary phrases.......................................................... 274
Unparliamentary expressions.............................................................. 274
(A) English ....................................................................................... 274
(B) Hindi .......................................................................................... 285
SUBJECT INDEX ................................................................................... 299

The author is a senior advocate, who has been practising law since 1956, mainly in the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court. With a vast and varied experience in almost all kinds of courts including civil, criminal, revenue, cooperative, labour etc and different tribunals such as cooperative appellate tribunals, revenue tribunals, service tribunals, etc, the author has also been a senior counsel in various panels of the Government of Maharashtra and Government of India.
The author has worked as a part time professor of law for the graduate and postgraduate levels for about ten years, and was also elected as a member of the Faculty of Law in the University of Mumbai. He conducted free legal aid centres and held the post of the Vice President of the Advocates’ Association of Western India.
The author has an extensive experience of establishing, conducting and maintaining public institutions. He has held positions of authority and posts such as Founder President, Elected President, Vice President, Chairman, Vice Chairman, General Secretary, Secretary, Treasurer, Member of the Governing Council or Managing Committee, Legal Adviser, etc in public bodies such as Apna Bazar—a leading consumer society in India; Mumbai Marathi Granth Sangrahalaya—leading library movement in Mumbai; Apna Bank Ltd; Samajwadi Yuvak Sabha; Press Mazdoor Sabha; Mumbai Girni Kamgar Union—the biggest mill workers’ union in Maharashtra; various associations of traders, tenants, agriculturists and several other social and cultural organisations.