DK Shivakumar takes dig at Pratap Simha after HC dismisses PIL on Dasara invite
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday hit out at former BJP MP Pratap Simha, saying he was only trying to stay politically relevant after being denied a party ticket.
“Pratap Simha has not been given a ticket by his party. So, he is making attempts to show that he is politically alive. I wish him well,” Shivakumar told reporters at Vidhana Soudha.
He was responding to questions about the Karnataka High Court’s decision to dismiss Pratap Simha’s PIL that had challenged the government’s move to invite writer Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate the state’s Dasara festivities.
“The court has delivered justice. We bow to our judiciary. Ours is a democratic system, and today we are celebrating Democracy Day. Our vote is our right. The ballot is stronger than the bullet. This government has been chosen by the people with their votes, and this decision is that of a popularly elected government,” he said.
Shivakumar added that the Constitution stands for equality and provides space for all religions. “We must respect every faith. How can anyone say don’t pray to Chamundeshwari Devi or don’t visit Chamundi Hills? The government has taken a decision within the framework of the Constitution. Leaders like Pratap Simha should read the Constitution properly to understand their rights. Unfortunately, the BJP has no respect for it. We are committed to protecting the Constitution and all communities,” he asserted.
He further said, “Courts also function based on the Constitution. We too work under its principles. Even our oath of office is in the name of the Constitution.”
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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.
