In a landmark decision on November 10, the Supreme Court provided a definitive stance on the role of Governors regarding Bills passed by state legislatures. The ruling emphasized that Governors are not permitted to unduly delay or withhold assent to Bills, asserting that such actions undermine the legislative process and the authority of elected representatives. The judgment, stemming from a petition by the AAP government in Punjab, addressed the contention that Governor Banwarilal Purohit was unreasonably withholding approval for four Bills passed by the state assembly.
The Supreme Court, composed of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra, explicitly stated that Governors cannot indefinitely keep Bills pending without taking any action, deeming such inaction inconsistent with their responsibilities. The 27-page verdict stressed the importance of timely decision-making, reinforcing the notion that Governors must adhere to a course of action aligned with the expeditious progression of duly passed legislation. This ruling serves to uphold the integrity of the legislative process and the supremacy of elected representatives in the democratic framework.
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