About S. R. Bommai (SRB) v. Union of India (UOI),1994 Judgment
- In 1989, the Central government dismissed SRB’s government in Karnataka under Article 356 of the Constitution and President’s Rule was imposed.
- A nine-judge bench of the SC interpreted Article 356 of the Constitution to define the contours of the proclamation of President’s rule
About Article 356
- State Emergency is also known as President’s Rule or Constitutional Emergency. The Constitution does not use the word ’emergency’ for this situation.
- Article 356 finds inspiration in Section 93 of the Government of India Act 1935.
- Ground to declare: Based on the report from the Governor of a State or otherwise, if the President is satisfied that a situation has arisen in which the government of a State cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.
- Validity: The President’s Rule is valid for two months unless Parliament extends it for up to six months.
- Extensions beyond a year are only permitted in a national security emergency or if the Election Commission certifies that holding assembly elections is difficult.
- Even then, the limit for the President’s Rule is three years.