Ponmudy case: Chief Justice blasts Tamil Nadu Governor
The Supreme Court on Thursday came down heavily on Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi for refusing to re-induct DMK leader K Ponmudi into the state Cabinet even after his conviction in a criminal case was paused by the top court.
Pulling up the Governor, a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud said he was “defying the Supreme Court” by his actions.
“We are seriously concerned about the conduct of the Governor in this case. He is defying the Supreme Court of India,” the Chief Justice said.
The Chief Justice said that when a conviction was put on hold by a court, the Governor had no business to say otherwise.
“We will keep tomorrow, we will leave to the governor till tomorrow… otherwise… we are not saying for now,” the Chief Justice told Attorney General R Venkataramani.
“We will not resist passing an order directing the Governor to act as per the Constitution, it is to avoid that situation that we are giving time,” he said
The Supreme Court was hearing a petition filed by the Tamil Nadu government, seeking a direction to Governor Ravi to accept the recommendation made by Chief Minister MK Stalin to reappoint Ponmudi as minister.