Kerala reports sixth death from brain-eating amoebic infection in one month
Malappuram: A 47-year-old man from Malappuram district has died due to amoebic meningoencephalitis, a rare but fatal brain infection caused by a “brain-eating” amoeba. This is the sixth such death reported in Kerala within the past month.
The deceased, identified as Shaji from Chelempra Chaliparambu, was admitted to Kozhikode Medical College Hospital (KMCH) on August 9 after his health deteriorated. He had liver-related ailments and failed to respond to treatment, health officials confirmed on Wednesday night.
This marks the second fatality from the infection in a week. Earlier, a woman from Vandur in Malappuram also succumbed at KMCH.
Meanwhile, two more cases — a 10-year-old girl and a woman — tested positive for the infection on Wednesday. Health officials said a total of 10 patients are currently undergoing treatment in different hospitals, with one reported to be in critical condition.
The inability to trace the exact source of the amoeba has hindered containment efforts. Most of the deaths, including those of a three-month-old infant and a nine-year-old girl, have been reported from northern Kerala.
Authorities have intensified surveillance and launched awareness campaigns. The infection, typically caused by the free-living amoeba Naegleria fowleri, spreads when contaminated freshwater enters the body through the nose during activities like swimming or diving. It is not transmitted from person to person and cannot be contracted by drinking contaminated water.
Experts suggest that climate change and changing water conditions could be contributing to the rise in cases.
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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.
