NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday fixed the dates of hearing from August 19 to September 10 on Presidential Reference if the court can lay down timelines and procedures for the President and Governors on Bills passed by State legislature.
A five-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India B R Gavai said the hearing schedule would not be altered under any circumstance.
The court appointed advocates Aman Mehta and Nisha Rohatgi as the nodal counsel on the sides of the Union government and the parties opposing reference, respectively, to prepare their compilations on the issue.
The bench, also comprising Justices Surya Kant, Vikram Nath, P S Narasimha and AS Chandurkar asked the parties to file their respective written submissions by August 12.
The court also granted one hour first to the States of Kerala and Tamil Nadu to raise their point to the maintainability of the Reference.
Thereafter, the court will start hearing Attorney General and Union supporting the reference on August 19, 20, 21 and 26.
The parties opposing the Presidential reference would be heard on August 28, and September 2, 3 and 9.
The court said, the rejoinder, arguments would be heard on September 10.
Also Read: SC notice to Centre, States on presidential reference on timelines to clear Bills
Senior Advocate K K Venugopal, appearing for the State of Kerala, the court had already answered 11 questions out of 14 the Presidential reference has sent in the State of Tamil Nadu Vs the Governor of Tamil Nadu (2025) case.
Senior advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi and P Wilson, also submitted that the Tamil Nadu Government has also filed a plea opposing the validity of the Reference.
On July 22, the Supreme Court had issued notice to the Centre and all state governments on the presidential reference related to prescribing timelines for Governors and the President to act on Bills passed by the legislative assembly of a state.
Kerala and Tamil Nadu opposed the reference, contending it sought to overrule the April 8, 2025 judgment which was impermissible.
The reference was made on May 13, 2025 after the April 8, 2025 judgment in the case of Tamil Nadu.
The reference was made by the President in exercise of power under Article 143(1) of the Constitution which allows the top constitutional head to seek the opinion of the Supreme Court on any question of law or fact of public importance.
