Fair elections crucial to protect democracy: Congress leader Ashok Gehlot
Jaipur (PTI): Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Saturday appealed to people to support the Congress' 'Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod' campaign, claiming that democracy will be under threat if free and fair elections are not ensured.
Speaking to reporters after a Congress meeting here, the former chief minister said party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have directed state units to hold meetings and mobilise people to sign memoranda highlighting "vote theft" by the BJP.
"If elections are not held fairly, democracy will be in danger in the country. Saving democracy is... the duty of every citizen. If vote theft is not stopped and the Election Commission fails to ensure free and fair polls, people will lose their right to vote," Gehlot claimed.
He urged people to actively take part in the Congress' statewide signature campaign against "vote theft" from September 15 to October 15.
"It is the responsibility of the common man to save their voting rights by joining this campaign and making it successful," Gehlot said.
On the alleged installation of additional cameras in the Rajasthan Assembly, he said it is a "very serious matter".
"The governor should order a probe into this matter," the Congress leader said.
The "vote theft" allegation was first raised by Gandhi at a press conference in Delhi on August 7. Pointing out irregularities in electoral rolls, the leader accused the Election Commission of favouring the BJP.
The Election Commission and the BJP have rejected the allegations.
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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.
