ED seizes cash, property documents after raids against Atiq Ahmad's aides
New Delhi (PTI): Documents related to sale and purchase of properties, Rs 17.80 lakh worth cash and some other material were seized after fresh raids this week against some "renowned" builders, CAs and others linked to slain gangster-politician Atiq Ahmad, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said on Saturday.
The searches were carried out on June 14-15 at 10 premises in Prayagraj, Lucknow and Delhi, the agency said in a statement.
Various aides and associates of late Atiq Ahmad including "renowned" builders and chartered accountants were covered during the action which led to the seizure of Rs 17.80 lakh cash, documents related to sale and purchase of properties, financial documents of companies, bank statements, mobile phones and laptops, it said.
Physical and forensic analysis of seized evidences are ongoing, the agency said.
The money laundering case against Ahmad and his aides stems from a CBI FIR filed on the directions of the Supreme Court to probe allegations of kidnapping, extortion and assault against the mafia-turned-politician and his men.
"Atiq Ahmad was a history-sheeter and ran a mafia gang that is involved in various crimes of serious nature from a long time. Around 100 FIRs of crimes related to murder, extortion, land grabbing etc. were lodged against him in various police stations.
"It was found during probe that by indulging in criminal activities since 1989 and by usurping government and other people's land properties, Atiq Ahmad amassed huge property in his name and that of his family members and also in the name of his associates and other benamidars (in whose name a benami property is standing)," the ED said.
The ED had first conducted searches in this case on April 12-13 leading to seizure of Rs 84.68 lakh cash, gold bars worth Rs 60 lakh, gold and diamond jewellery of Rs 2.85 crore, digital devices and various physical documents and records.
Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were shot dead at point-blank range by three men posing as journalists on April 15 when police personnel were escorting them to a medical college in Prayagraj for a checkup.
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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.
