AG Questions Ruling on Timeline for Prez, Guvs

Attorney General (AG) R Venkataramani, who is assisting the court in the Presidential reference matter, on Tuesday questioned the April 8 ruling of the Supreme Court that set the deadline for the State Governors and the President to grant assent to bills passed by legislatures, asking whether the court can rewrite the Constitution.

- SUCHITRA KALYAN MOHANTY @ New Delhi

While arguing before a five-judge Constitution bench, led by CJI B R Gavai, Venkataramani said, "You (SC) bind the hands of the President. The President will exercise the highest consideration in deciding whether to give assent or not. The court entered into a regulation-making power here. The President and Governor were virtually robbed of their application of mind. Can the court go to the extent where it says let me take pen and paper and rewrite the constitution?"