Presidential reference on deadlines for bill assent by Governors: LIVE UPDATES from Supreme Court

A Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court is hearing a Presidential reference on whether the Court can lay down timelines and procedures for the President and State Governors when considering Bills passed by State legislatures.

The Bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai, Justice Surya Kant, Justice Vikram Nath, Justice PS Narasimha, and Justice Atul S Chandurkar has been constituted to decide the reference made by President Droupadi Murmu under Article 143(1) of the Constitution, which allows the President to seek the Court’s opinion on questions of law or matters of public importance.

The Presidential reference questions the top court’s top court's April ruling which prescribed timelines for the President and the Governor to decide on Bills and also held that the Governor’s inaction under Article 200 was subject to judicial review.

Live updates from the hearing today on this page.

The hearing has started.

CJI BR Gavai at the outset states that notice would be issued to the Union and State governments.

The Court will next week decide on a timeline for hearing of the case.

"We issue notice to the Union and all state govt. We will send it to all chief secretaries and all standing counsels. We will list this next week and hear this mid August," the CJI said.

Kerala government is questioning the maintainability of the Presidential reference

"We are for State of Kerala. We are raising issues of maintainability," Senior Advocate KK Venugopal submits for the State.

The Court said it would hear the objection.

The Court proceeds to pass the order, states that issues related interpretation of the Constitution are involved.

"We have requested the Ld AG to assist us. Issue notice to Union and all State governments. Ld SG will appear for Union. All State governments be served through email. List it next Tuesday. Notice be also served on all standing counsels," it said in the order.

Tamil Nadu government also questions the maintainability of the Presidential reference. Senior Advocate P Wilson appears for the State.