What is meant by the rule of 'Ejusdem Generis'? State the situations in which courts do not apply this rule.

Meaning of 'Ejusdem Generis': 'Ejusdem generis' means 'of the same kind or species'. Where specific words describing a class or genus are followed by general words, the general words are construed as limited to things of the same kind as those specifically listed. It is not an absolute rule of law but a subsidiary aid to construction, and does not apply where the legislative intent is otherwise clear. Situations where courts do not apply this rule: The rule is not applied by courts where: the preceding (specific) words themselves are of a general nature, so no distinct genus can be identified; the specific words already exhaust the whole genus, leaving nothing for the general words to add; the specific objects enumerated are essentially diverse in character, so no common genus can be inferred; or there is a clear expression of legislative intent that the general words are not to be read ejusdem generis with the specific ones.