Tue Apr 08 06:52:12 UTC 2025: ## Supreme Court Strikes Down Tamil Nadu Governor’s Veto on 10 Bills
**Chennai, India** – In a significant blow to Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi, the Supreme Court today ruled his withholding of assent to 10 key state Bills was illegal and arbitrary. The court declared the Governor’s actions, including reserving the bills for the President’s consideration after initial withholding, to be outside his constitutional authority and set them aside. The Bills are now deemed cleared from the date they were re-presented to the Governor.
The justices cited Article 200 of the Constitution, which outlines the Governor’s powers regarding state legislature bills. The court emphasized that while the Governor has the option to withhold assent or reserve a bill for the President, this must be done within specified timelines and in accordance with the advice of the Council of Ministers. The court established new deadlines for these actions, noting that exceeding these timeframes subjects the Governor’s decision to judicial review. Crucially, the court stated that once a bill is re-passed by the legislature, the Governor is obligated to grant assent.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin hailed the verdict as a historic victory for the state and a reaffirmation of federal principles. He asserted the DMK’s continued commitment to state autonomy.
The ruling comes amidst a long-running conflict between Governor Ravi and the DMK government. Since his appointment in 2021, Ravi’s actions, including his refusal to read portions of the state’s legislative address and his public pronouncements, have been criticized by the state government as exceeding his constitutional role. The court’s decision clarifies the limits of the Governor’s power, emphasizing the importance of adherence to parliamentary democracy. While the court affirmed the Governor’s legitimate powers, it stressed that all actions must align with the principles of the Indian Constitution and the advice of the elected state government.
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