President Droupadi Murmu has asked the Supreme Court to weigh in on whether timelines can be set for Governors and the President to act on Bills passed by state legislatures.

In a reference under Article 143, the President sought clarity following a recent Supreme Court ruling that criticized Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi for delaying assent to 10 state Bills.

The President asked if a Governor is bound by the state cabinet’s advice under Article 200, whether gubernatorial discretion is justiciable despite Article 361 immunity, and if courts can impose timelines under Article 201 in the absence of constitutional limits.

The reference follows the court’s April decision declaring the Governor’s delay “illegal and arbitrary,” and setting a three-month deadline for action on re-passed Bills.