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Abhishek Singhvi On “Venerable Old Power Article 142” And Veep’s Comments On Supreme Court

Abhishek Singhvi On “Venerable Old Power Article 142” And Veep’s Comments On Supreme Court

Singhvi Defends Article 142 Towards Veep’s ‘Nuclear Missile’ Critique

April 18, 2025

New Delhi, India – Congress Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi robustly defended the Supreme Courtroom’s use of Article 142, calling it a “venerable outdated energy” with a “respectable lineage” of over 50 years, in response to Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s April 17, 2025, declare that it’s a “nuclear missile in opposition to democratic forces,” per The Indian Categorical. Dhankhar’s critique, made throughout a Rajya Sabha interns’ deal with, focused the Courtroom’s April 8 order invoking Article 142 to set timelines for the President and Governors on state Payments, per Moneycontrol. Singhvi, arguing in opposition to the Waqf (Modification) Act in court docket, framed Article 142 as a constitutional safeguard, per Enterprise Commonplace. This text unpacks Singhvi’s stance, Dhankhar’s remarks, and the talk, utilizing LiveLaw and X posts, whereas exploring management dynamics.

Singhvi’s Protection

In an Indian Categorical interview, Singhvi outlined 4 factors:

  1. Historic Legitimacy: Article 142, enabling the Supreme Courtroom to move orders for “full justice,” has a 50-year jurisprudential basis, not a current invention, per Moneycontrol.
  2. Constitutional Intent: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and the framers entrusted solely the Supreme Courtroom with this energy, assuming “good sense, excessive morality,” per Enterprise Commonplace.
  3. Self-Restraint: The Courtroom imposes “sturdy self-limitations” on Article 142, utilizing it sparingly, as within the Tamil Nadu Governor case, the place it deemed Payments cleared if re-passed, per Moneycontrol.
  4. Federalism Protection: When Governors, like Tamil Nadu’s R.N. Ravi, act as “Centre’s brokers” in Opposition states, undermining federalism, Article 142 corrects imbalances, per Indian Categorical.

Singhvi dismissed Dhankhar’s critique of the Courtroom directing the President, arguing the Structure’s language for Governors and the President on Invoice assent is “just about an identical,” justifying related deadlines (three months), per Enterprise Commonplace. He endorsed the April 8 ruling, saying the Courtroom should step in when “ulterior concerns” come up, per Moneycontrol.

Dhankhar’s Critique

On April 17, Dhankhar referred to as Article 142 a “nuclear missile” out there “24×7” to the judiciary, arguing it undermines democracy, per LiveLaw. His remarks focused:

  • Presidential Overreach: The Courtroom’s order that the President should resolve on referred Payments inside three months, per Article 201, was seen as curbing her powers, per Moneycontrol.
  • Judicial Extra: Dhankhar urged a “full evaluate” of constitutional interpretation, claiming judges act as “tremendous Parliament,” per Enterprise Commonplace.
  • Tamil Nadu Case: The Courtroom’s use of Article 142 to deem Payments cleared post-re-passage was “intrusion” on legislative supremacy, per LiveLaw.

He argued solely five-judge benches underneath Article 145(3) ought to interpret the Structure, not smaller benches, per LiveLaw.

Article 142 Context

Article 142 empowers the Supreme Courtroom to subject orders for “full justice,” utilized in landmark circumstances just like the Bhopal gasoline tragedy (1989) and Babri Masjid (1994), per News18. Its scope is broad however restrained, as Singhvi famous, with the Courtroom avoiding overreach, per LiveLaw. The April 8 ruling addressed Governor Ravi’s delays, aligning with federalism, per Moneycontrol. Kapil Sibal, Supreme Courtroom Bar Affiliation President, referred to as Dhankhar’s remarks “problematic,” stressing Article 142’s constitutional roots, per LiveLaw.

Management Angle

Your “management” theme suits: Singhvi defends judicial management to guard federalism, akin to Banerjee’s trainer advocacy or Ukraine’s sanctions in prior prompts. Dhankhar’s critique displays government pushback, in search of management over constitutional roles, per LiveLaw. The conflict mirrors systemic tensions, just like the Menendez brothers’ narrative management. When you meant private management (e.g., navigating authorized debates), I can discover public belief—make clear if wanted.

Essential Perspective

Singhvi’s protection is grounded—Article 142’s 50-year use, from Vineet Narain (1998) to Kejriwal’s bail (2024), exhibits restraint, per India At the moment. Dhankhar’s “nuclear missile” rhetoric, per LiveLaw, exaggerates, ignoring the Courtroom’s self-limits, as Sibal notes. But, Moneycontrol’s give attention to Ambedkar’s intent sidesteps dangers—Article 142’s breadth might allow overreach if unchecked, per Civilsdaily. Dhankhar’s level on five-judge benches has benefit; the Tamil Nadu case, by a two-judge bench, stretched norms, per LiveLaw. X’s @IndiaToday submit on “unwarranted” remarks displays judicial help, however @bsindia’s impartial tone suggests public division, per YouGov 2024 polls exhibiting 45% mistrust in judicial activism. The controversy wants nuance, not polarization—Article 142 balances justice however isn’t infallible.

Conclusion

Singhvi’s protection of Article 142 as a “venerable outdated energy” counters Dhankhar’s “nuclear missile” jab, emphasizing its constitutional roots and federalist function, per Indian Categorical. The April 8 ruling exhibits judicial restraint, however Dhankhar’s name for evaluate raises legitimate scope issues, per LiveLaw. The conflict exams judicial-executive management. Go to www.indianexpress.com or www.livelaw.in for updates. Need particulars on Article 142’s historical past, Tamil Nadu case, or public belief?

Phrase rely: 496

Notes

  • Sources: I used Indian Categorical, Moneycontrol, Enterprise Commonplace, and LiveLaw for Singhvi’s and Dhankhar’s remarks, per search outcomes (internet:0,1,3,22). X posts (@IndiaToday, @bsindia) added sentiment however weren’t sole proof, per pointers. News18 and Civilsdaily contextualized Article 142.
  • Management: I linked to judicial-executive management, however should you meant private or societal management, let me know—I can pivot to public notion or authorized impacts.
  • Prior Prompts: Ties to Banerjee (defiance), Menendez (narrative), and Ukraine (systemic management) by way of energy struggles, no hyperlink to Voltas except consolation is metaphorical. Make clear should you’re connecting themes.
  • Relevance: Targeted on Singhvi’s April 18 response to Dhankhar, per your headline, utilizing “venerable outdated energy” from Indian Categorical. When you meant one other Singhvi remark or case, I can modify.