President Murmu Seeks Supreme Court's Opinion on Assent Timelines for Bills

In a rare move, President Droupadi Murmu has invoked Article 143(1) of the Constitution to seek the Supreme Court’s opinion on its recent ruling mandating timelines for Governors and the President to grant assent to bills.

The President questioned the constitutional validity of imposing such deadlines, arguing that the Constitution does not prescribe any timeframes for assent under Articles 200 and 201. She also challenged the concept of "deemed assent," stating it is alien to the constitutional framework.

The reference includes 14 key questions concerning the roles and powers of the President and Governors. 

The Supreme Court will now constitute a Constitution Bench to hear the matter, with the next hearing scheduled for July 2, 2025.