New Delhi, April 17, 2025: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has sharply criticised the Supreme Court’s recent directive mandating a three-month deadline for the President to act on Bills referred by governors. Addressing a gathering of Rajya Sabha interns on Thursday, Dhankhar questioned the judiciary’s expanding role, cautioning against what he described as a trend of judges assuming legislative and executive powers.
“There is a directive to the President by a recent judgment. Where are we heading? What is happening in the country?” he asked, expressing alarm over the perceived judicial encroachment on executive functions. The Vice President emphasised that the Constitution does not empower courts to instruct the President, who occupies a position of the highest constitutional significance.
Referring to the ruling, Dhankhar said, “We never bargained for democracy for this day. The President being called upon to decide in a time-bound manner — and if not, it becomes law?” He accused the judiciary of acting as a “super Parliament” and warned of the lack of accountability judges face under the current framework.
His remarks come after the Supreme Court’s unprecedented decision last week, which directed that the President must decide on Bills reserved for her consideration within three months of receiving them from a state governor.
Raising constitutional concerns, Dhankhar reminded the audience that while all officials, including judges, take an oath to abide by the Constitution, only the President pledges to “preserve, protect and defend” it. He argued that the judiciary’s role under Article 145(3) is limited to constitutional interpretation by a bench of at least five judges and should not extend to executive directives.
Calling the development deeply troubling, he said, “My worries are at the very highest level. I never thought I would witness this day in my life.”
VP Dhankhar Slams SC Ruling on Presidential Timelines, Warns Against ‘Judicial Overreach’
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