3,350 turtles, exotic animals seized at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport
Bengaluru: Authorities at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) recently seized a large consignment of exotic animals, including around 3,350 red-eared slider turtles, 22 baby blue iguanas, and two African spurred tortoises.
Two individuals, identified as Balasubramanian Shanmugam and Vijayaraghavan Dhanapal, arrived from Thailand on a Thai Airways flight on Saturday, while a third suspect, Arunkumar Narayanaswamy, travelled on the same flight the following day. None of the three had the required documentation to transport exotic wildlife into India, as reported by Deccan Herald on Tuesday.
The seized animals were subsequently deported to their countries of origin, namely Malaysia and Thailand.
"Over the past couple of months, instances of wildlife smuggling have alarmingly increased at the Bengaluru airport, while they have reduced at the Chennai airport. It is mostly baby animals that are being smuggled. Mild sedatives are being used on these exotic animals to ensure smooth travel," DH quoted an official at the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau as saying.
Red-eared slider turtles, in particular, have emerged as one of the most frequently smuggled species, coming in from Malaysia to India. Under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the species is classified under Schedule IV, making it illegal to possess, trade, or transport without permit.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
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.
