Important Legal Definitions
Explore legal terms, clear definitions and practical examples.
Ex Post Facto Law (Article 20(1))
Constitutional & Public Law Doctrines
Definition
The constitutional prohibition against making an act criminal retroactively or imposing a penalty greater than that which was applicable at the exact time the offence was committed.
Example
In Kedar Nath v. State of West Bengal, the court held that an enhanced penalty of fine equal to the amount embezzled, introduced by an amendment passed after the accused committed the act, could not be applied retroactively.