Supreme Court's Verdict on Timelines for Assent: A Constitutional Dilemma

The Supreme Court reserved its decision on whether constitutional courts can impose timelines on governors and the President to assent to state legislature bills. The decision follows a 10-day hearing on a presidential reference questioning discretionary powers under Articles 200 and 201 of the Constitution.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court reserved its verdict after an extensive 10-day hearing concerning a presidential reference about constitutional timelines for governors and the President to assent to bills passed by state legislatures.

The hearing, led by a Constitution bench including Chief Justice B R Gavai and other notable justices, began on August 19 and concluded with Attorney General R Venkataramani's arguments. His conclusion marks the formal reservation of the court's decision.

The reference stemmed from President Droupadi Murmu's exercise of powers under Article 143(1), querying the court on potential judicially imposed timelines for presidential discretion on state legislation. This follows the apex court's April 8 ruling concerning Governor powers over Tamil Nadu's legislative bills.

(With inputs from agencies.)