SC to hear Presidential Reference on Governor and President Assent Powers on July 22

New Delhi, July 19 -- The Supreme Court will hear on July 22 the Presidential Reference under Article 143 of the Constitution, seeking clarity on constitutional questions relating to the grant of assent to Bills by Governors and the President.

A Constitution Bench comprising Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, and Justices Surya Kant, Vikram Nath, PS Narasimha, and AS Chandurkar will hear the matter.

The Reference was made following the Supreme Court's recent judgment in the Tamil Nadu Governor's case, where the Court set timelines for Governors and the President to act under Articles 200 and 201 of the Constitution.

In that judgment, a Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan held that Governors cannot exercise a "pocket veto" and mu...