Delhi: 225 kg firecrackers seized in Badarpur, 1 held
New Delhi, Sep 17 (PTI): An illegal storage unit of firecrackers was busted in the Badarpur area on Wednesday, the police said, adding that an arrest was made in the case as well.
Ahead of the festive season, around 225 kilograms of firecracker material was seized, the police added.
"The accused has been identified as Dharamvir Singh, a resident of Badarpur. A team had been tasked to act against illegal stocking and sale of firecrackers," a police officer stated.
On September 16, police received a tip-off about the illegal storage of firecrackers in the Moladband area of Badarpur. Following verification of the information, a raid was conducted on Wednesday at a rooftop room of a building. During the search, police discovered a substantial stock of firecrackers weighing around 225 kilograms. Singh, who was present at the scene, was apprehended immediately, the officer added.
During questioning, Singh allegedly disclosed that he had procured the consignment from Palwal in Haryana two days earlier. He planned to sell the firecrackers during the upcoming festive season, but failed to produce any valid license or authorisation for their storage or sale.
"Storing such a large quantity of firecrackers without safety measures or authorisation poses a serious threat to public safety. Immediate action was taken to seize the material and apprehend the accused," he added.
A case has been registered under the relevant legal provisions, and further investigation is underway to trace the source and identify others involved in the illegal supply chain, the police stated.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Ordinance issued to increase number of Supreme Court judges from 34 to 38
New Delhi (PTI): The government has promulgated an ordinance to increase the strength of the Supreme Court from the present 34 judges to 38, including the Chief Justice of India.
The law ministry notified the ordinance on Saturday, which amended the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, to increase the sanctioned strength of the top court.
So far, the sanctioned strength of the top court was 34, including the Chief Justice of India (CJI). Now, the number of judges has been increased by four, taking the sanctioned strength to 38.
The top court will now have 37 judges, other than the CJI.
With the apex court having two vacancies at present, and the ordinance coming into force immediately, the Supreme Court Collegium will now have to recommend six names for appointment as judges in the top court.
A bill will be brought in the Monsoon Session of Parliament to convert the ordinance – an executive order – into a law passed by Parliament.
The Union Cabinet had cleared a draft bill on May 5 to increase the number of apex court judges.
The strength of the Supreme Court was last increased from 30 to 33 (excluding the CJI) in 2019.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, as originally enacted in 1956, put the maximum number of judges (excluding the CJI) at 10.
This number was increased to 13 by the Supreme Court (Number of Judges), Amendment Act, 1960, and to 17 by another amendment to the law.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 1986, augmented the strength of judges from 17 to 25, excluding the CJI.
A fresh amendment in 2009 further increased the strength from 25 to 30.
Article 124(3) of the Constitution lists the qualifications required to become a Supreme Court judge.
An Indian citizen who has either served as a high court judge for at least five years, or as an advocate for 10 years, or is a distinguished jurist, can be appointed to the top court.
The strength of the Supreme Court is increased based on the recommendations of the CJI, who writes to the Union law minister. After consulting the finance ministry, the Department of Justice under the law ministry moves the Cabinet with a draft bill.
