States can't move SC on bill assent delays: Govt

The Union government on Thursday told the Supreme Court that state governments have no right to approach the top court alleging breach of fundamental or legal rights over delays or withholding of assent to bills by the President or governors, even as the Constitution bench asked whether it could ignore the intent of the framers who deliberately used the words “as soon as possible” in the Constitution to ensure timely action on bills passed by state legislatures.

- Utkarsh Anand

Appearing before a five-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India Bhushan R Gavai, solicitor general Tushar Mehta submitted tha