Court slams slow investigation in corruption case involving Yediyurappa and Vijayendra
Bengaluru: The Special Court of People's Representatives has expressed displeasure over the lack of progress in the investigation of corruption allegations against former Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra. Despite the case being under investigation for over two years, the court noted that the Lokayukta police have failed to provide substantial updates.
The court's frustration was evident as Lokayukta investigators appeared to explain the situation in response to a show cause notice. The investigation, which has been primarily focused on shell companies, has seen little advancement, according to the court. The Special Court took issue with the investigating officer, DySP Satish M.H., for his inadequate progress in the case.
The case involves allegations of corruption in a Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) apartment tender, where Rs. 8.41 crores were allegedly funneled through fake companies. B.S. Yediyurappa's grandson, Shashidhar Maradi, has been accused of facilitating these transfers. Other individuals named in the private complaint include B.Y. Vijayendra, Shashidhar Maradi, Sanjay Shri, Chandrakanta Ramalingam, S.T. Somasekhar, Dr. G.C. Prakash, K. Ravi, and Virupakshappa Yamakanamaradi. The complaint was filed by social activist T.J. Abraham.
The allegations centre on the misuse of authority to grant a housing project contract to Ramalingam Construction Company, allegedly in exchange for bribes. In September 2022, the Special Court ordered the Lokayukta Police Inspector to file an FIR against Yediyurappa and others, and to investigate the claims of bribes being funneled through cash and shell companies.
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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.
