Supreme Court: No Timelines for Governors and the President to Clear Bills
Introduction The Supreme Court’s five-judge Constitution Bench has clarified a major constitutional question: courts cannot impose judicial timelines on governors or the President while granting assent to state legislation . This advisory opinion, delivered under Article 143 of the Constitution, reinforces the foundational principle of separation of powers , particularly regarding the relationship between the judiciary, the executive, and the federal structure. This ruling overturns an earlier two-judge judgment that had introduced strict timelines and the concept of "deemed assent," creating significant constitutional confusion. The Constitution Bench has now restored clarity and reaffirmed constitutional boundaries. Background of the Presidential Reference In May, the President of India referred a set of 14 constitutional questions to the Supreme Court under Article 143 . These questions arose from an April 8 judgment that: Imposed strict timelines on governors a...