INDIA NEWS

The Supreme Court has held Governor RN Ravi accountable for delaying assent to bills, calling it unconstitutional, leading to public debates on the limits of gubernatorial powers.

By Aniket Chakraborty

Apr 21, 2025

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Under Article 200 of the Indian Constitution, the Governor is required to assent to bills or return them for reconsideration, but Governor Ravi’s inaction has caused significant controversy.

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The Court exercised its powers under Article 142, declaring that the Governor’s assent to 12 bills was deemed granted, marking a historic judicial intervention.

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The Court’s decision underscores the evolving role of judicial review in ensuring the smooth functioning of India’s constitutional framework, especially when one institution oversteps its bounds.

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The Constitution mandates that the Governor must uphold the law, but Governor Ravi's failure to do so has led to a severe intervention by the judiciary to protect constitutional democracy.

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The Court’s judgment reflects a shift from a purely textual interpretation of the Constitution to a more dynamic application based on its spirit, ensuring its proper functioning.

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Critics have accused the Court of judicial overreach, but the ruling affirms that constitutional accountability is paramount, even if it requires judicial intervention in extraordinary situations.

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Governor Ravi’s conduct, which led to the exercise of Article 142, has brought to light the balance of power between constitutional institutions and the need for timely action by all office-bearers.

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The Supreme Court has always emphasized that no institution is above the Constitution, with judicial review serving as a critical tool to safeguard democratic values.

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The ruling echoes Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s vision that the Constitution must work in practice through the people in power, reminding leaders like Governor Ravi of their duty to uphold democratic values.

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Image Credit | @rajbhavan_tn  |X