Illegal betting case: Karnataka High Court stays ED summons against lawyer Anil Gowda
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday granted interim relief to lawyer Anil Gowda, a close associate of Chitradurga Congress MLA K.C. Virendra, by staying the Enforcement Directorate (ED) summons issued to him in connection with an online and offline illegal betting case.
The single-judge bench of Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum directed that no coercive action be taken against Gowda. The order came in response to an interim petition filed by Gowda, son of Congress leader Hanumantharayappa from Rajarajeshwari Nagar, challenging the ED summons and seeking protection from any immediate enforcement action.
The court noted that a related matter concerning the issuance of summons to lawyers is already pending before the Supreme Court. Considering this, the High Court held that Gowda was entitled to interim protection. Accordingly, the summons dated August 24, 2025, issued to him under Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), has been stayed.
The court further directed the ED to refrain from invoking PMLA provisions or initiating any coercive steps against Gowda until the Supreme Court delivers its decision on the broader issue.
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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.
