Two BJP members arrested in Gujarat for bogus voting and live-streaming on social media
Dahod: Two members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were arrested in Gujarat's Mahisagar district, falling under the Dahod Lok Sabha constituency, for allegedly engaging in bogus voting. What made this incident particularly egregious was that it was live-streamed on social media and went viral, drawing widespread condemnation.
The accused, identified as Vijay Bhabhor, 28, and Manoj Magan, 38, were reportedly involved in the act of bogus voting, which was broadcasted via Facebook by one of the accused, Vijay Bhabhor. The video captured Bhabhor tampering with the electronic voting machine (EVM) inside a polling booth, despite repeated warnings from election officials.
In the video footage, Bhabhor brazenly asserts his control over the area, encouraging others to vote for the BJP by pressing the 'lotus' buttonl. Shockingly, he even indulges in a celebratory dance with the EVM, exhibiting utter disregard for the sanctity of the electoral process.
The Congress party has demanded stringent action against the perpetrators, alleging that they had engaged in bogus voting across 25 polling stations in the Gothib taluk panchayat in Santrampur. They have lodged formal complaints with the authorities.
Subsequently, both Bhabhor and Magan were arrested under relevant sections of the Representation of the People Act and the Indian Penal Code. The authorities have initiated legal proceedings against them.
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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.
