New Delhi: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar Critiques Supreme Court’s Bill Decision Timeline
On Thursday, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar expressed his concerns regarding a recent Supreme Court ruling that establishes a timeline for the President and governors to approve bills. Dhankhar questioned the legality of directing the President of India, saying, "We cannot allow a situation where this authority is questioned."
While speaking to a group of interns at the Rajya Sabha, Dhankhar reflected on the current state of democracy in India, stating, "We need to be very careful about the direction we’re heading in. This isn’t just about someone seeking a review—it’s about the core of our democracy."
Dhankhar specifically addressed the Supreme Court’s use of Article 142 of the Constitution, which allows the court to ensure "complete justice" in its decisions. He described this power as a formidable tool that could potentially undermine democratic principles. The court recently relied on this article to address the actions of Tamil Nadu Governor R. N. Ravi, ruling that his decision to block assent on ten bills was both "arbitrary" and "illegal."
According to Dhankhar, the ruling mandates that the President must act within a three-month timeframe on legislative decisions, stating that failure to do so would automatically make the legislation law. He voiced his concern: "Are we now allowing judges to take on legislative roles, operating without accountability?"
Additionally, the Vice President raised questions about judicial immunity. In reference to a case involving former Delhi High Court Justice Verma, he noted that there has been no legal investigation initiated regarding the matter, as no formal complaint has been filed yet. Dhankhar mentioned that the public only learned about a controversy involving cash at the judge’s residence through media reports, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability within the judicial system.
