English Version Of Law Prevails Over Hindi Translation Of Bill, Order Or Service Regulations : Allahabad High Court Reiterates

Following various decisions of the Supreme Court and the decision of Full Bench of the Allahabad High Court in Smt. Ram Rati and others v. Gram Samaj Jehwa, Justice Manish Mathur held that English version of any Hindi translation of a bill or order or service regulations would prevail over its Hindi version.Article 348(3) of the Constitution of India provides that if any Bills, Acts, Ordinances or any order, rule, regulation or bye-law are in any language other than English language then a translation of the same in the English language published under the authority of the Governor of the State in the Official Gazette of that State shall be deemed to be the authoritative text thereof in the English language under this article.While dealing with a case pertaining to the U.P. Audhyogik Shikshan Sansthan (Anudeshak) Sewa Niyamavali 2014 (UP Industrial Training Institutes (Instructors) Service Rules, 2014), Justice Mathur held“it is quite evident that not only in terms of Article 348(3) of Constitution of India, but also in terms of judgments of Hon'ble Supreme Court and Full Bench decision of this court, it would be the English version of any Hindi translation of a bill or order or service regulations which would prevail.”Petitioner approached the High Court seeking addition of her name in the list for post of "cutting swing" scheduled on 29th July 2025. While petitioner claimed that she was eligible as per paragraph 16(3) (ka) of U.P. Audhyogik Shikshan Sansthan (Anudeshak) Sewa Niyamavali 2014, the respondents claimed that she was not eligible by relying on the English version of the rules, UP Industrial Training Institutes (Instructors) Service Rules, 2014. Finding that there was a dichotomy in the English and Hindi rules regarding the applicability of marks awarded in National Trade Certificate Test/ National Apprenticeship Certificate Test, the Court held that as per Article 348(3) of the Constitution of India, the English version of the Rules would apply. The Court noted that the Full Bench of the Allahabad High Court held that “when there is a conflict between the English version of a statute of a State Legislature and its Version in a local language, the version in English language will prevail over the version in the local language.”Accordingly, the Court dismissed the writ petition as the petitioner sought to rely on the Hindi version of the rules. Case Title: Maya Shukla @ Maya Mishra v. Secy. / Examination Controller Lower Subordinate Service Selection Commission Lko. And 2 Others [WRIT - A No. - 8383 of 2025]Click Here To Read/Download Order

English Version Of Law Prevails Over Hindi Translation Of Bill, Order Or Service Regulations : Allahabad High Court Reiterates

Upasna Agrawal

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