Can President, Governors be questioned in court for sittting on bills? Centre seeks clarity from SC
He argued that states cannot file Article 32 petitions against the actions of the Governor or the President, as such pleas are not maintainable, no directions can be issued to them, and their handling of bills cannot be challenged in court.
He argued that states cannot file Article 32 petitions against the actions of the Governor or the President, as such pleas are not maintainable, no directions can be issued to them, and their handling of bills cannot be challenged in court.
He argued that states cannot file Article 32 petitions against the actions of the Governor or the President, as such pleas are not maintainable, no directions can be issued to them, and their handling of bills cannot be challenged in court.
New Delhi: The Centre on Thursday informed the Supreme Court that state governments cannot invoke its writ jurisdiction to challenge the actions of the President or governors in dealing with bills passed by state assemblies on grounds of violating fundamental rights.
Appearing for the Centre, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told a five-judge Constitution bench led by Chief Justice BR Gavai that the President has sought the court’s opinion on whether states can move a writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution alleging violation of fundamental rights. He said the President would also like to have an opinion on the scope of Article 361 of the Constitution which says the President, or the Governor will not be answerable to any court for the exercise and performance of the powers and duties of his office or for any act done.
Mehta told the bench also comprising Justices Surya Kant, Vikram Nath, PS Narasimha and AS Chandurkar that they have debated over these questions in the reference, but the President is of the opinion that she would like to have the view of the court to know the exact legal position, as an issue may arise in the future.
He argued that states cannot file Article 32 petitions against the actions of the Governor or the President, as such pleas are not maintainable, no directions can be issued to them, and their handling of bills cannot be challenged in court.
"Article 32 lies when there is violation of fundamental rights and state government in the constitutional scheme does not in itself have the fundamental right. It is a repository of functions which is to protect fundamental rights of its people," Mehta said.
The solicitor general referred to the April 8 Tamil Nadu verdict in which states were given liberty to approach the apex court directly in case timeline is not adhered by the governor in clearing the bills passed by the assembly.
CJI Gavai said it will not say any words with regard to the two-judge verdict of April 8 but the Governor would not be justified in sitting over the bill for six months. Mehta submitted that one constitutional organ not discharging his duties, does not entitle the court to direct another constitutional organ.
The CJI said, "Yes. We know what your argument is? If this court does not decide the matter for 10 years, would it be justified for the President to issue an order."
On August 26, the top court wondered whether the court should sit powerless if a Governor delays assent to bills indefinitely and if the constitutional functionary's independent power to withhold a bill would mean that even money bills could be blocked.
The court raised the questions after some BJP-ruled states defended the autonomy of Governors and President in assenting to bills passed by a legislature, submitting that "assent to a law cannot be given by court". The state governments also contended that judiciary cannot be a pill for every disease.
The top court is hearing the Presidential reference on whether the court could impose timelines for governors and President to deal with bills passed by state assemblies.
In May, President Droupadi Murmu exercised powers under Article 143(1) to know from the top court whether judicial orders could impose timelines for the exercise of discretion by the president while dealing with bills passed by state assemblies.