SC issues notice to Centre on Kerala’s plea against Governor 

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Monday issued a notice to the central government on the plea filed by Kerala against Governor Arif Muhammad Khan. Apart from the central government, the Supreme Court has also issued a notice to the additional secretary to the Governor. The court has informed to send a reply to the notice by Friday. Kerala's plea will be considered on Friday.

A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud considered the plea. The bench also directed the Attorney General and the Solicitor General to appear on behalf of the central government on Friday. Kerala filed the plea after the governor delayed without signing the bills. The governor has not yet taken a decision on the eight bills passed by the assembly. Kerala filed the plea in the Supreme Court alleging that the Governor was delaying three bills for more than two years.

According to Article 200 of the Constitution, the Governor should take a decision as soon as possible on the bills passed by the Assembly and sent for consideration. However, Kerala alleged that the Governor's stand was against the basic structure of the Constitution and was trying to subvert the concept of good governance of the state.

The petitioners are chief secretary Dr Venu and T P Ramakrishnan MLA. The plea was filed in the Supreme Court by standing counsel C K Sasi on behalf of the state government. The plea stated that this stand of the Governor is putting the Kerala government's activities in crisis. The government has also filed a special leave petition in the Supreme Court stating that delaying the decision without signing the bills is a grave injustice to the people and the legislators.