Constitution of India, 1949
272.Continuance in force of existing laws and
their adaptation.-
(1) Notwithstanding the repeal by this
Constitution of the enactments referred to in Article 395 but subject to the
other provisions of this Constitution, all the laws in force in the territory
of India immediately before the commencement of this Constitution, all the laws
in force in the territory of India immediately before the commencement of this
Constitution shall continue in force therein until altered or repealed or
amended by a competent Legislature or other competent authority.
(2) For the purpose of bringing the provisions
of any law in force in the territory of India into accord with the provisions
of this Constitution, the President may by order make such adaptations and
modifications of such law, whether by way of repeal or amendment, as may be
necessary or expedient, and provide that the law shall, as from such date as
may be specified in the order, have effect subject to the adaptations and
modifications so made, and any such adaptation or modification shall not be
questioned in any court of law.
(3) Nothing in clause (2) shall be deemed-
(a) to empower the
President to make any adaptation or modification of any law after the expiration
of three years from the commencement of this Constitution; or
(b) to prevent any
competent Legislature or other competent authority from repealing or amending
any law adapted or modified by the President under the said clause.
Explanation I.- The expression
"law in force" in this article shall include a law passed or made by
a legislature or other competent authority in the territory of India before the
commencement of this Constitution and not previously repealed, notwithstanding
that it or parts of it may not be then in operation either at all or in
particular areas.
Explanation II.- Any law passed or made
by a legislature or other competent authority in the territory of India which
immediately before the commencement of this Constitution had extra-territorial
effect as well as effect in the territory of India shall, subject to any such
adaptations and modifications as aforesaid, continue to have such
extra-territorial effect.
Explanation III.- Nothing in this
article shall be construed as continuing any temporary law in force beyond the
date fixed for its expiration or the date on which it would have expired if
this Constitution had not come into force.
Explanation IV.- An Ordinance
promulgated by the Governor of a Province under Section 88 of the Government of
India Act, 1935, and in force immediately before the commencement of this
Constitution shall, unless withdrawn by the Governor of the corresponding State
earlier, cease to operate at the expiration of six weeks from the first meeting
after such commencement of the Legislative Assembly of that State functioning
under clause (1) of Article 382, and nothing in this article shall be construed
as continuing any such Ordinance in force beyond the said period.