Includes, as (i) to have as contents or part of contents; be made up of or contain; (ii) to add as part of something else; put in as part of a set, group or a category (iii) to contain as a secondary or minor ingredient or element, (Collins Dictionary of English Language).
Is used in an interpretation clause, it must be construed as comprehending not only such things as they signify according to their nature and import but also those thing which the interpretation clause declares that they shall include, Scientific Engg. House (P) Ltd. v. C.I.T., (1986) 1 SCC 11: 1986 SCC (Tax) 143.
The word 'includes' has different meanings in different contexts. Standard Dictionaries assign more than one meaning to the word 'include'. Webster's Dictionary defines the word 'include' as synonymous with 'comprise' or 'contain'. The Illustrated Oxford Dictionary defines the word 'include' as (i) comprise or contain in as a part of a whole; (ii) treat or regard as so included. The Collins Dictionary of English Language defines the word 'Includes' as (i) to have as contents or part of the contents; be made up of or contain; (ii) to add as part of something else; put in as part of a set, group or a category; (iii) to contain as a secondary or minor ingredient or element. It is no doubt true that generally when the word 'Include' is used in a definition clause it is used as a word of enlarge-ment, that is to make the definition extensive and not restrictive but the word 'Includes' is also used to connote a specific meaning, that is, as 'means and Includes' or comprises' or 'consists of'. It is, therefore evident that the word 'includes' can be used in interpretation clauses either generally in order to enlarge the meaning of any word or phrase occurring in the body of a statute, or in the normal standard sense, to mean 'comprises' or 'consists' of or 'means and includes', depending on the content, N.D.P. Namboodripad v. Union of India, AIR 2007 SC 1782; see also Reserve Bank of India v. Peerless General Finance and Investment Co. Ltd., 1987 (1) SCC 424.
Indicates a commonality or shared features or attri-butes of the including word with the included, Godfrey Phillips India Ltd. v. State of Uttar Pradesh, (2005) 2 SCC 515.
Is not to single out for specific mention some of the things comprised within the natural import of the term defined but the effect is not otherwise be regarded as included in that sense. It is undoubtedly true that a definition clause, so expressed, is ordinarily not exhaustive but it can be so in certain contexts, Tarak Chandra v. Ratanlal, 61 CWN 263.
Is also used to connote a specific meaning, that is, as 'means and includes' or 'comprises' or 'consists of', N.D.P. Namboodripad v. Union of India, (2007) 4 SCC 502.
Includes, by using the word 'includes' the Legisla-ture undoubtedly intended to enlarge the meaning of the expression 'motor transport undertaking'. The words 'private carrier' have been given a specific meaning in the Motor Vehicles Act, 1939, and it is difficult to limit this specific meaning on any reasonable basis. Further, s. 38 of the Act, which exempts certain transport vehicles, also proceeds on the basis that a private carrier who is carrying on activities which are not commercial would be included within the expression 'motor transport undertaking', Municipal Council v. State of Madhya Pradesh, AIR 1970 SC 1923: (1969) 2 SCC 582: (1970) 1 SCR 915.
'Includes' is generally used as a word of extension, but the meaning of a word or phrase is extended when it is said to indicate things that would not properly fall within its ordinary connotation. South Gujarat Roofing Tiles Manufacturers Association v. State of Gujarat, AIR 1977 SC 90: (1976) 4 SCC 601: (1977) 1 SCR 878.
The word 'include' is very generally used in interpretation clauses in order to enlarge the meaning of words or phrases occurring in the body of the statute; and when it is so used, these words or phrases must be construed as comprehending, not only such things as they signify according to their natural import but also those things which the interpretation clause declares that they shall include, Regional Director, E.S.I. Corpn. v. High Land Coffee Works, (1991) 3 SCC 617 AIR 1992 SC 129.
The word 'includes' is often used in interpretation clauses in order to enlarge the meaning of the words or phrases occurring in the body of the 'statute'. When it is so used, these words and phrases must be construed as comprehending not only such things as they signify according to their nature and import but also those things which the interpretation clause declares that they shall include, CIT v. Taj Mahal, AIR 1972 SC 168 (170): (1972) 3 SCC 550.
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