Senior Advocate and SCBA President Kapil Sibal strongly criticized Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s recent comments about Article 142. Dhankhar had likened it to a “nuclear missile” used by the judiciary. Sibal called the remarks “extremely problematic” and emphasized that Article 142 is a constitutional tool, not a government-granted power. The controversy stems from a Supreme Court ruling setting timelines for presidential assent on bills, which the VP saw as judicial overreach.

BulletsIn

• Sibal criticises VP Dhankhar’s ‘nuclear missile’ remark on Article 142
• Says judiciary still most trusted institution in India
• Article 142 is a constitutional power, not government-given
• SC ruling in Tamil Nadu Bill case sparked VP’s comments
• Court set timelines for Governor and President’s decisions on state bills
• VP said judiciary overstepping, acting as “super-parliament”
• Sibal says President acts on Cabinet’s advice, not personal discretion
• Warns against continued executive attacks on judiciary’s independence
• Argues 2-judge bench valid; VP suggests minimum 5-judge bench
• Sibal urges polity to defend judiciary, calls its independence vital to democracy