SC Seeks Responses on Plea Challenging Kerala Governor’s Inaction on Bills

The Supreme Court on Monday sought responses from the Centre and the office of Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on the state government’s plea, accusing him of withholding assent to multiple bills cleared by the legislative assembly.

A bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud along with Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra took cognizance of the arguments put forth by senior advocate K K Venugopal, alleging a delay on the part of the governor in granting assent to eight bills.

The top court also issued a notice to Attorney General R Venkataramani, seeking that either he or Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assist in the hearing.

The court will now hear the Kerala government’s plea on Friday.

Venugopal emphasized, “This is an endemic situation. The governors do not realize that they are part of the legislature under Article 168 of the Constitution.”

The state of Kerala, in its plea, asserted that Governor Khan is causing delays in the consideration of eight bills passed by the state assembly.

The bench noted in its order, “Mr. Venugopal submits that – 1. The governor is a part of the legislature under Art 162; 2. The governor had promulgated three ordinances which were later converted into those passed by the legislature; 3. As many as eight bills are pending consideration for assent ranging from 7 to 21 months.”

The Kerala government contends that the governor’s delay in granting assent to the bills is “defeating the rights of the people.”

A similar plea has also been filed by the Tamil Nadu government, and it is currently under consideration by the apex court.