Unidentified bike-borne persons throw acid on woman in Andhra Pradesh
Eluru (AP) (PTI): At least two motorcycle-borne unidentified persons threw acid on a woman in the outskirts of Eluru city in Andhra Pradesh and she has been hospitalised, police said on Wednesday.
The attack happened just a short distance away from victim Yadla Pranchika's house while she was returning home from work on Tuesday night.
"After the attack, she managed to quickly run away to her home. Her family members admitted her in a hospital and informed the police," Eluru Superintendent of Police D Mary Prasanthi told PTI.
According to the SP, Pranchika's eyes were affected as the acid fell on her face, prompting the police to shift her to the government general hospital in Vijayawada quickly after taking a local doctor's advice.
The victim's left eye is out of danger while her right eye requires a surgery as it was 60 per cent damaged, she said, observing that other parts of her face were not affected much. Further, police are planning to shift the victim to a super speciality hospital to offer better treatment.
Meanwhile, six police teams have been dispatched to arrest the acid attackers who are at large.
The SP noted that neither the victim nor her family members are in a position to suspect anybody, including locals or the availability of CCTV footage.
As part of the probe, police registered a case against unidentified persons under Disha Act, slapping Indian Penal Code Sections 307 (Abetment of suicide), 326A (Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by use of acid, etc.) and 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention).
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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.
