Over 40 injured in Bengaluru during Deepavali celebrations
Bengaluru, Nov 1: Over 40 people sustained eye and burn injuries due to crackers during Deepavali in two days this year in the city, hospital authorities said on Friday.
The government run Minto Ophthalmic Hospital reported six cases of eye injuries till 2 pm on Friday and five among them were children. The Victoria Hospital reported four cases of burn injuries, they said.
The city's Narayana Nethralaya said the hospital witnessed a significant increase in firecracker-induced eye injuries.
"From October 31st to November 1st (until 11 am), a total of 15 patients with firecracker-related eye injuries were reported," said Dr Rohit Shetty, Chairman of Narayana Nethralaya.
The injuries ranged from mild corneal abrasions to severe cases involving hyphema and epithelial defects, he said.
Shankara Eye Hospital reported two severe cases on the day of Deepavali (Thursday) and 12 cases today, a hospital official said.
Four cases of eye injuries were reported in Shekar Eye hospital from October 31 and November 1 till 5 pm. This includes cases of 13-year-old boy for corneal abrasion and that of a seven-year-old boy due to chemical injury caused due to crackers, the official said.
Meanwhile, the Bengaluru Police said they has registered 56 cases of firecracker regulation violations in the city from October 31 to November 1 during the Deepawali this year.
In accordance with the Supreme Court directives, bursting of firecracker was permitted only between 8 pm and 10 pm during Deepavali.
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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.
