Markets return to life as restrictions eased for six hours in J-K's Doda
Doda/Jammu (PTI): Markets in the district headquarters and other major towns in the hilly district of Doda in Jammu and Kashmir sprang to life on Saturday after the authorities announced a six-hour relaxation in restrictions imposed earlier this week after the detention of sitting AAP MLA Mehraj Malik under the stringent Public Safety Act, officials said.
Malik, who is also the chief of AAP's J-K unit, was detained on Monday for allegedly disturbing public order. His detention sparked violent protests, prompting the authorities to impose prohibitory restrictions and snap mobile internet and broadband services in Doda.
The authorities announced relaxation in the restrictions in Doda, Bhaderwah, and Assar from 12 noon to 6 pm, allowing shopkeepers to open their establishments, officials said.
Traffic was also seen plying in the area, and so far the relaxation period has remained peaceful with no untoward incident reported from anywhere, the officials said.
The restrictions were eased after police and the civil administration held consultations with civil society members and representatives from the local chamber of commerce, who suggested gradual restoration of normal activities.
However, the officials said police and paramilitary forces have been directed not to allow gathering of five or more persons as prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) remains in force throughout the district.
Deputy Commissioner Harvinder Singh said the situation is completely under control and the restrictions are being maintained as a security measure.
Schools in the district will reopen for classes next week after a safety check of all the buildings owing to the recent floods and heavy rainfall, Singh said.
SSP Sandeep Mehta, meanwhile, said mobile and broadband internet services in the district will continue to remain suspended for the time being as a precautionary measure to check the spread of fake news.
Welcoming the decision of the administration to allow the markets to open, local residents said the move will provide much-needed relief to the people, who are reeling under restrictions ever since the detention of the AAP MLA.
“We faced losses for the past several days, while people found it difficult to get even basic items. This step has given us some relief,” Mushtaq Ahmad, a trader in Doda, said.
He also urged the government to restore internet services at the earliest, citing difficulties faced by the students and businessmen.
On Friday evening, the authorities eased the restrictions for two hours in Doda and other major towns of the district.
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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.
