Vice President criticizes Supreme Court's time-bound order on presidential decisions, warns of judicial overreach

NEW DELHI: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar strongly opposed a recent Supreme Court ruling that sets a three-month deadline for the President to decide on bills sent by governors. Speaking to Rajya Sabha interns, he accused judges of acting as a "super Parliament" by making laws and performing executive roles without accountability.

Dhankhar called the use of Article 142—which grants the Supreme Court power to ensure "complete justice"—a "nuclear missile" against democratic processes. The court invoked this provision in its Tamil Nadu Governor ruling, mandating presidential action on pending bills within three months. The Supreme Court had directed that the President should take a decision on the bills sent by the Governor within three months. "Where are we heading? What is happening in the country?" he questioned, arguing that directing the President undermines constitutional principles.

He stressed that judges should only interpret the Constitution under Article 145(3), requiring a five-judge bench for such matters. "We have judges legislating, executing policies, and acting as a super Parliament, yet remaining unaccountable," he said. Dhankhar also referenced the delayed disclosure of a cash seizure at Delhi High Court Judge Yashwant Verma’s residence. The incident, undisclosed for a week, raises "fundamental questions" about transparency, he noted, contrasting it with ordinary cases where immediate action is expected.