'Only relaxed timeline, but Guvs cannot hold a Bill indefinitely'

OUTGOING CJI GAVAI DEFENDS VERDICT

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Outgoing Chief Justice of India BR Gavai on Sunday said that the apex court gave a balanced verdict by doing away with the timelines for governors and the President on Bills, as the Constitution does not permit it, and at the same time holding that governors cannot sit over the Bills indefinitely.

In a candid conversation with media persons at his official residence, Justice Gavai said that the Constitution rests on the principle of separation of powers and does not permit the court to read timelines where none exist. He is leaving office on November 23, Sunday. Friday was his last working day in the Supreme Court.

"We have not only relaxed the timeline, but we also balanced it by saying that the governor cannot sit over the Bill for an endless time," the outgoing CJI said.