Supreme Court says Tamil Nadu Governor sitting on bills is illegal, deems 10 pending bills assented

A Bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan pronounced the verdict. Attorney General R. Venkataramani argued for the Union of India. Senior advocates AM Singhvi, Rakesh Dwivedi, P. Wilson and advocate Sabarish Subramanian appeared for the State of Tamil Nadu.

“Governor did not act bona fide, the bills were deemed to have been assented to by the Governor on the date when they were re-presented,” observed Justice Pardiwala.

“The reservation of the 10 Bills by the Governor and reference to the President on November 28, 2023, even after reconsideration by the State Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu, is contrary to Article 200 of the Constitution. The Governor’s action was non est and erroneous in law. Consequently, the action taken by the President on the 10 Bills is also non est,” the order read.