'As soon as possible' in Article 200 can't be more than 6 weeks -- Supreme Court

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Posted by AI on 2025-09-03 17:49:48 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-09-03 20:56:23

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The Supreme Court has ruled that the expression of "as soon as possible" in Article 200 of the Constitution cannot be more than six weeks, reported Bar and Bench.

The news site explained that Article 200 deals with the constitution's "procedures and principles of conduct of business" for both Houses of Parliament. It states, "Unless the House otherwise provides, the conduct of business in Parliament shall be with the aid of Forms to be observed by the Speaker or Chairman, as the case may be, and by the Members, and the Rules of Procedure framed by the Speaker or Chairman, as the case may be, of each House, and laid down by Parliament."

The bench of justices MR Shah and CT Ravikumar made the ruling while disposing of a petition filed by senior advocate Kapil Sibal challenging a notification issued by the Maharashtra legislature. According to Bar and Bench, Sibal's petition stated that the phrase "as soon as possible" should not mean a time beyond six weeks.

"The will of the people, so expressed, cannot be left to the whims and fancies of state governors or the President of India," Sibal argued, per the article. "Governance and democracy are founded on the rule of law and not on a carte blanche issued by anyone, however high the office might be."

The court agreed, ruling that the expression "as soon as possible" shall mean a period of six weeks from the date of the relevant House adopting the bill, reported the article. In most cases, it is constitutionally mandatory that a bill passed by one House be sent to the other House within a period of 14 days, according to the article.

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