Presidential Reference hearing live: Bench of 5 judges to resume hearing

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Supreme Court of India. File | Photo Credit: The Hindu

The Supreme Court on Tuesday (September 9, 2025) is scheduled to continue the hearing of the Presidential Reference on whether courts could impose timelines for Governors and the President to deal with bills passed by state assemblies.

In a previous hearing on September 2, 2025, three of the five judges orally observed, along with the States of Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, that Governors cannot sit endlessly over Bills placed before them for assent.

Also read: Highlights of the previous hearing

Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, Justices Vikram Nath and P.S. Narasimha separately remarked that Governors could neither delay the wisdom of the legislature indefinitely nor impede the functioning of the Constitution. “No organ can impair the functioning of the Constitution,” Justice Narasimha said.

Three Opposition-ruled States on September 3, 2025, argued against the discretionary powers of Governors in withholding bills and said it is the role of the legislature to make laws and Governors have no role in it.

Kapil Sibal, for West Bengal, argued that a Bill sent to the Governor has to be assented to, and the Centre has the power to nullify a State law, or it may be challenged in courts, but the will of the people must be respected.

Follow the live blog for further updates:

September 09, 2025 10:05
Governors have no role in lawmaking, they are only titular heads, three Opposition-ruled States argue in Supreme Court
Three Opposition-ruled States argued against discretionary powers of Governors in withholding bills and said it is the role of legislature to make laws and Governors have no rule in it.
A five-judge Constitution bench on Wednesday (September 3, 2025) continued its hearing on the Presidential Reference which asked whether courts could impose timelines for Governors and the President to deal with bills passed by State assemblies.
Read more:
Presidential Reference hearing updates: Governors have no role in lawmaking, they are only titular heads, three Opposition-ruled States argue in SC
Presidential Reference hearing updates: Follow The Hindu’s live updates on SC’s Presidential Reference hearing on whether courts could impose timelines for Governors and the President to deal with bills passed by state assemblies.