SC to consider Kerala govt's plea against governor on Monday

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court bench chaired by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud on Monday will consider the petition filed by the state government against Governor Arif Muhammad Khan for not signing bills passed by the Assembly. As in the similar petitions against the Punjab and Telangana governors, it is expected that there will be a strong remarks from the Supreme Court against the Kerala governor.

Former Attorney General and senior Malayali lawyer KK Venugopal will appear for the state government and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta will appear for the governor. The demand is that the governor should be instructed to take immediate decision on eight bills, including three bills that have been delayed for two years. The government wants the provision of Article 200 of the Constitution that a decision should be taken as soon as possible should be followed. Clarification may also be sought on how long the Governor can hold the bills.

The court will also hear the petition filed by the Stalin government against Tamil Nadu Governor Dr RN Ravi. The Chief Justice had criticized that Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit is playing with fire and directed to take a decision on the bills soon. After this, a money bill was approved but no decision was taken on other bills.

Following the court's criticism, the Tamil Nadu governor had returned the bills, put on hold, to the government. However, the government will question the attitude of the governor in the Supreme Court. The government have passed the bills again in a special legislative session on Saturday and have submitted them for the governor's approval.