West Bengal Governor bars police from Raj Bhavan amid sexual assault allegations
Kolkatta: West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose has prohibited police from entering the Raj Bhavan premises following allegations of sexual assault against him. The move comes amidst escalating tensions between the state government and the Raj Bhavan.
The Governor's decision to ban police entry is purportedly to prevent unauthorised and politically motivated investigations into the allegations. This development follows a complaint filed by a female Raj Bhavan employee accusing the Governor of sexual harassment.
In response to the accusations, Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya made public statements against the Governor, resulting in him barring the police from entering the Raj Bhavan premises in Kolkata, Darjeeling, and Barrackpore.
The Raj Bhavan has issued a statement asserting that the allegations against the Governor are unfounded, and legal action is being considered against those making defamatory remarks. The matter has drawn significant attention in West Bengal, with ongoing investigations into the allegations.
Meanwhile, the Attorney General of India has been consulted for further legal advice on the situation. The timing of these events coincides with the impending visit of the Prime Minister to the state, adding to the complexity of the situation.
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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.
