Unless the contrary appears from the context, words importing the singular number include the plural number, and words importing the plural number include the singular number.
IPC Section Simplified Explanation
This section deals with the interpretation of singular and plural terms within the Code. Unless the subject or context indicates otherwise, any term used in the singular number in the IPC shall also include the plural, and vice versa.
This provision is a common feature in legislative drafting and is crucial for ensuring that laws are interpreted flexibly and practically. By allowing singular terms to be understood as also encompassing their plural forms (and vice versa), Section 9 ensures that the IPC’s provisions apply to a wide range of scenarios without the need for repetitive or excessively detailed legislative language.
For example, suppose a section of the IPC refers to “person” (in singular form), based on Section 9. In that case, this should be understood to apply to one person or multiple people, depending on the context of the law’s application. Similarly, if the law mentions “goods” (in plural form), it could be interpreted to apply to a single item or multiple items, again depending on the context.
This flexibility in interpretation helps the IPC cover various situations and cases with more straightforward language, making the law both accessible and adaptable. Including such interpretative provisions in legal texts is essential for their practical and effective application, ensuring that the rules can be applied to individual and collective subjects without altering the legislative intent or requiring additional clarification.
