Supreme Court Rebukes Tamil Nadu Governor for Defying Court Order on Cabinet Re-induction

The Supreme Court issued a stern rebuke to Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi on Thursday for his refusal to re-induct DMK leader K Ponmudi into the state Cabinet, despite the top court pausing his conviction in a criminal case.

A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud criticized the Governor, asserting that he was “defying the Supreme Court” with his actions.

Expressing serious concerns over the Governor’s conduct, Chief Justice Chandrachud emphasized that when a court paused a conviction, the Governor had no authority to contravene it.

“We are seriously concerned about the conduct of the Governor in this case. He is defying the Supreme Court of India,” Chief Justice Chandrachud remarked.

During the hearing, the Chief Justice emphasized that the Governor, being a titular head, was expected to uphold the decisions of the elected government.

The Supreme Court’s remarks came during the hearing of a petition filed by the Tamil Nadu government, seeking a directive to Governor Ravi to accept Chief Minister MK Stalin’s recommendation to reappoint Ponmudi as a minister.

The apex court had previously suspended Ponmudi’s conviction in a disproportionate assets case on March 11, along with a three-year jail sentence.

The Attorney General requested the Supreme Court to hear the matter again tomorrow, to which the court acquiesced.

The Supreme Court’s intervention underscores the principle of the rule of law and the constitutional framework governing the relationship between elected governments and constitutional functionaries.

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