SC says Governors cannot hold state bills indefinitely but refuses to set timelines, citing separation of powers; verdict on presidential reference due today.

The Supreme Court on Thursday held that Governors cannot keep bills passed by state legislatures pending indefinitely, but firmly declined to prescribe any judicially enforceable timelines for granting assent. Imposing such deadlines, the court said, would “trample upon the separation of powers” and run contrary to the “elasticity” the Constitution intentionally provides.

Delivering its remarks on a presidential reference, the court stressed that while delays cannot be indefinite, constitutional authorities like the Governor and President cannot be bound by rigid timelines.

“In a democratic country like ours, fixing timelines fo

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