SC Verdict on TN Governor Case: Kerala Governor Asks How Judges Can Decide a Constitutional Issue

Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Saturday said the Supreme Court's recent ruling on the Tamil Nadu Governor case, setting a timeline for Governors to take a decision on bills passed by the assembly, is an outrageous act.

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Saturday said the Supreme Court's recent ruling on the Tamil Nadu Governor case, setting a timeline for Governors to take a decision on bills passed by the assembly, is an outrageous act.

In an interview with an English-language newspaper, he said that it is for Parliament to take a decision on such matters.

The state governor, who holds a constitutional position, has leveled a serious allegation against the Supreme Court. Governor Arlekar said the court, or for that matter any other person saying that the Governor should do it within a certain time-period is not something implied in the Constitution.

He said the issue should have been left to the Constitution Bench and that the time limit should be set through an amendment to the Constitution.

Governor Arlekar said the verdict of the Supreme Court division bench comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan in the case related to the Tamil Nadu Governor, is overreaching and that Parliament should decide on such matters.