Supreme Court Ruling on Tamil Nadu Governor's Delay in Assenting Bills

The Supreme Court has ruled against Tamil Nadu Governor's undue delays in assenting to bills passed by the state legislature, labeling it an illegal "pocket veto". This decision reaffirms the democratic principle that the will of the people, through their elected legislature, must be upheld.

Key Points of the Judgment

• Democratic Principle: The ruling underscores the necessity for governors to respect the decisions made by the legislature and the elected government.
• Governor's Role: The court stated that the governor's office, while significant, should not function as a parallel power center.
• Previous Judgments: The court has previously cautioned governors, as in the 2023 case of State of Punjab vs Principal Secretary to Punjab Governor, against withholding assent without just cause.
• Article 200 Compliance: The governor must act in accordance with Article 200, which outlines their powers regarding assent to bills.
• Extraordinary Powers: Using Article 142, the court declared the delayed bills as having received assent.

Impact of the Judgment

• Timelines for Action: The court addressed ambiguities in timelines, enforcing deadlines for governors to return a bill to the legislature or forward it to the President.
• Case Implications: The ruling is likely to influence similar situations in other states like Kerala and Telangana, where governors have been accused of delaying tactics.
• Preserving Democratic Integrity: This recalibration of the governor's role is crucial for maintaining the integrity of democratic institutions and ensuring the people's will is followed.