Earlier, during the hearings, the Supreme Court had questioned Tamil Nadu Governor Dr. R.N. Ravi about withholding assent to the bills.The Court asked why, if the bills were repugnant to central laws, the Governor had not immediately communicated this to the state government. “If the Governor found the bills repugnant, he should have immediately brought it to the notice of the government, which could have reconsidered the bills for further action,” the bench observed.The Court noted that an “impasse” had been created, as the President had returned the bills, stating they were repugnant. It clarified that the Court would examine the legal standing on the issue of whether the bills were indeed repugnant and would decide if necessary.During the hearings, the Supreme Court also emphasised that under Article 200 of the Constitution, the Governor is obligated to return bills to the Assembly for reconsideration if repugnance is found.Defending the Governor’s stance, Attorney General (AG) R. Venkataramani, representing the Governor, argued that once the Governor sends the bills to the President, and the President withholds assent, there is no obligation to return the bills to the Assembly. “What happens to the Presidential assent? Will the President be asked why he didn’t give assent, or did he concur? This is nothing but a political thicket,” Venkataramani submitted.He also clarified that Article 200 does not specify a time period in which the Governor must act. The Governor has multiple options under Article 200, including withholding assent or referring the bills directly to the President. “Once assent is withheld, the bills fall, and there is no obligation to return them to the Assembly,” Venkataramani argued.The Supreme Court, while stressing the need for a solution to the deadlock between the State Government and the Governor’s office, called for the establishment of a framework or mechanism to resolve such issues expediently.The Tamil Nadu Government’s petition had highlighted that files related to the premature release of prisoners, the appointment of the TNPSC chairman and members, and the bill related to the removal of the Governor from the post of Vice-Chancellor at various universities, among others, were pending approval from the Governor.
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