Karnataka High Court grants interim bail to actor Darshan for surgery
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has granted interim bail for six weeks to actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, who is currently held in connection with the Renukaswamy murder case, to allow him to undergo surgery.
The bail application was approved by Justice S Vishwajith Shetty, following the actor's request for medical treatment at a private hospital in Mysuru.
Darshan, who has been in Ballari Prison since his arrest on June 11, submitted his application for interim bail on September 21. His regular bail application, challenging a lower court’s earlier rejection of bail, remains pending in the High Court.
The court’s decision was based on medical reports from Ballari Central Jail and the neurology department at the government hospital in Ballari, which recommended surgery to address spinal and foot issues. Senior Advocate S Nagesh argued that Darshan should be allowed treatment at Apollo Hospital, with the actor bearing all medical expenses.
However, the State Public Prosecutor (SPP) P Prasanna Kumar opposed the request, contending that the reports did not specify the duration of hospitalisation required. He suggested that Darshan undergo treatment at a government facility and be evaluated by a medical board.
Justice Shetty had reserved orders on the interim bail plea on October 28, following arguments from both sides.
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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.
