The Supreme Court on Monday, November 20, raised questions over the delay by Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi in giving assent to the Bills passed by the state legislature. 

A bench comprising CJI DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said the Governor returned 10 out of 12 Bills pending with him for his assent only after a notice was issued by the top court on the Tamil Nadu government's plea.

“These Bills have been pending since January 2020. It means that the Governor took the decision after the court issued notice. What was he doing for three years? Why should the Governor wait for the parties to approach the Supreme Court?” the bench asked.

On November 10, while issuing notice to the Union government, the apex court had said that the petition filed by the Tamil Nadu government raises a “matter of serious concern.”

It may be recalled that the Tamil Nadu Assembly, in a special session on Saturday, re-adopted 10 Bills, which the Governor had sent back for reconsideration.

In its writ petition filed under Article 32 of the Constitution, the Tamil Nadu government has claimed that the Governor has positioned himself as a “political rival” to the legitimately elected state government.

It said that Bills passed 2-3 years ago are still pending with the Governor, who is not granting sanctions for prosecution of ministers or MLAs involved in corruption cases nor clearing files relating to the remission of prisoners.