**Supreme Court Criticizes Tamil Nadu Governor for Delaying Bills**
The Supreme Court of India has expressed strong disapproval of Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi for his prolonged inaction on ten bills passed by the state legislative assembly. In an unprecedented move, the court utilized its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to clear these bills, emphasizing the need for “complete justice.”
Article 142 grants the Supreme Court extraordinary authority, which has been increasingly invoked in recent years, despite previous criticisms regarding potential judicial overreach. On Tuesday, a two-judge bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan deemed the governor’s withholding of the bills as “illegal” and “liable to be set aside.” The bench specifically condemned the “pocket veto” tactic employed by Governor Ravi to stall the legislative process.
The responsibility for clearing bills primarily lies with the legislative and executive branches of government. Following the Supreme Court’s ruling, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin celebrated the decision as a “historic victory,” with DMK supporters marking the occasion with firecrackers and sweets.
The judges characterized the governor’s actions as a “roadblock” and, invoking Article 142, declared that the ten bills had effectively received assent due to the excessive delay in the governor’s response and his lack of respect for the Supreme Court’s prior rulings on similar issues. The bench asserted that the governor must adhere to the established conventions of parliamentary democracy, honoring the will of the electorate as expressed through the legislature and the elected government.
In recent months, Article 142 has been employed multiple times, including a notable case in October 2024 where the Supreme Court intervened to admit a Dalit youth into IIT Dhanbad after he missed a fee deadline. Earlier, in April 2024, the court granted a divorce under the Hindu Marriage Act despite one party’s opposition, and in February, it overturned the results of a mayoral election in Chandigarh due to electoral tampering. These instances have sparked debates about the judiciary’s role in electoral matters and the potential for judicial overreach.
**FAQ**
**What is Article 142 of the Indian Constitution?**
Article 142 empowers the Supreme Court to pass any decree or order necessary for achieving complete justice in any matter before it, making such orders enforceable throughout India.
