May And Must - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition may-and-must

Definition :

May and must, The word 'may' implies what is optional, but for the reasons stated, it should in the context in which it appears, mean 'must'. There is an element of compulsion. It is a power coupled with a duty, State (Delhi Admn.) v. I.K. Nangia, AIR 1979 SC 1977 (1980): (1980) 1 SCC 258: (1980) 1 SCR 1016. [Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (37 of 1954), s. 17 (2) Expln.]