The Supreme Court on Monday sought response from the Union of India on two petitions filed by the States of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, alleging that the Governors were delaying bills passed by the respective State Assemblies.
The Bench of Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra issued notice to the Centre and the Kerala Governor’s office on a petition filed by the Kerala government.
The States of Kerala had accused Governor Arif Mohammed Khan of sitting over eight Bills for two years, including three Ordinances, which were later converted to Bills and passed by Assembly.
The top court of the country directed the Union government and the Kerala Governor to file a response by November 24.
The Bench further took up the writ petition filed by the Tamil Nadu government against Governor R.N. Ravi, alleging that he was delaying Bills passed by the State Legislature.
Issuing notice to the Centre, the Apex Court listed the matter for further hearing on December 1.
Earlier on November 10, the top court of the country reprimanded Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi for delaying Bills passed by the State Legislature.
Calling it a matter of very serious concern, the Bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra told the Tamil Nadu Governor Ravi not to deflect the course of bills passed by a duly elected Assembly.
Noting that 12 bills were pending with Governor Ravi, the Apex Court issued notice to the Union government on the writ petition filed by the State of Tamil Nadu.
The Bench further took in view the fact that several decisions taken by the Tamil Nadu government regarding the grant of premature release to prisoners, sanction for prosecution and appointment of members to the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission were pending with the Governor.
The top court of the country sought the presence of the Attorney General for India or the Solicitor General of India for assistance and listed the writ petition for further hearing on November 20.