New Delhi: Voicing serious concern over the conduct of Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi for his refusal to reinduct senior DMK leader K Ponmudi as a minister in the state cabinet, the Supreme Court on Thursday, March 21, directed him to decide the issue within 24 hours. It said Ravi was defying the Supreme Court.
The governor has refused to re-induct Ponmudi, whose conviction and a three- year sentence in a disproportionate assets case the apex court stayed recently, despite Chief Minister M K Stalin’s recommendation.
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A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud rapped the Attorney General, representing the Governor, how Ravi said that Ponmudi’s reinduction would be against constitutional morality.
“Mr Attorney General, we are seriously concerned about the conduct of the governor. We did not want to say it out loud in court but he is defying the Supreme Court of India. Those who have advised him have not advised him properly. Now the Governor has to be informed that when the Supreme Court stays a conviction, it stays a conviction,” the bench, also comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, told AG R Venkataramani.
“If we do not hear from your person tomorrow, we will pass an order directing the governor to act according to the Constitution, we will pass an order. We are seriously concerned about the Tamil Nadu Governor and his behaviour. He has no business to do this. He is taking on the Supreme Court,” the Chief Justice said. “We are keeping eyes open and tomorrow we will decide. We are seriously concerned,” the CJI doubled down.
The governor has refused to reinstate the senior DMK leader and former higher education minister into the state cabinet, saying it would be against constitutional morality.
The state government has sought a direction to the governor to act as per the aid and advice of the council of ministers led by Chief Minister M K Stalin.
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