Oppression - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition oppression

Definition :

Oppression, the trampling upon or bearing down a person, under pretence of law. See also Harris v. Harris Ltd., 1936 SC 183 (Court of Sess.).

Taking the dictionary meaning of the word 'oppression', Viscount Simonds said at page 342 that the appellant-society could justly be described as having behaved towards the minority share-holders in an 'oppressive' manner, that is to say, in a manner 'burdensome, harsh and wrongful', Needle Industries (India) Ltd. v. Needle Industries Newey (India) Holdings Ltd., AIR 1981 SC 1298: (1981) 3 SCC 333: (1981) 3 SCR 698. (Companies Act, s. 397)