Supreme Court to hear Article 143 Reference on July 22

• The reference seeks the court’s opinion on the scope and contours of Article 142.

• It questions the constitutional powers of the President/Governors and the validity of the “deemed” assent.

• The reference also questions the justiciability of decisions made by the Governor and the President under Articles 200 and 201.

• The “concept of deemed assent” introduced in the judgment is seen as alien to the constitutional scheme and circumscribes the power of the President and Governors.

• The reference also questions the two-judge Bench ruling, questioning the interpretation of the Constitution without a minimum five-judge Bench.

• The reference also touches on the basics of Article 200, asking the court to clarify constitutional options before a Governor when a Bill is presented to him under Article 200.