Governor withholding Bills indefinitely will make the legislature defunct: SC

The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed concern over the implications of Governors indefinitely withholding the Bills passed by State legislatures, warning that such inaction could render a democratically elected legislature - representing the will of the people - "defunct".

- PARMOD KUMAR

Hearing the Presidential Reference on the powers of Governors/President under Article 200 and 201 of the Constitution, Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, heading a five-judge Constitution Bench, asked: "Suppose a particular function is entrusted to Governor, when this court has set aside the constitutional amendment which took away power of judicial review, with those judgments, can we say that however high a constitutional functionaries may be, if it does not act, the court is powerless? Suppose an act passed by competent legislature, hon'ble gov