Guvs can't keep bills pending indefinitely, rules SC

Governors "cannot be at liberty to keep bills pending indefinitely", the Supreme Court has ruled in a judgment, emphasising that the exercise of unbridled discretion in areas not entrusted to the discretion of the governor risks walking roughshod over the working of a democratically elected government in the state.

- Utkarsh Anand

According to a bench led by Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, state governors must show deference to the use of expression "as soon as possible" under Article 200 of the Constitution, making it obligatory to quickly return a bill with a message on the reconsideration of the proposed law if they chose to withhold their assent.