Jan 7: 8,449 new COVID-19 cases, four deaths in Karnataka; 6,812 alone in Bengaluru Urban
Bengaluru, Jan 7: Continuing its increasing trend, Karnataka on Friday logged 8,449 fresh COVID-19 cases and four deaths, taking the cumulative infections and fatalities to 30,31,052 and 38,362 respectively, the health department said.
In its bulletin, the department said 505 people were discharged, taking the total number of recoveries to 29,62,548. Active cases stood at 30,113.
The spike in cases was driven by Bengaluru Urban which contributed 6,812 infections and three deaths.
Other districts too had fresh cases including 219 in Mysuru, 211 in Dakshina Kannada, 72 in Udupi, 148 in Udupi, 129 in Mandya and 114 in Belagavi, 98 in Kolar, 96 in Tumakuru and 89 in Hassan.
Dakshina Kannada recorded one death.
There were zero fatalities in 29 districts whereas Haveri reported zero infections and zero fatality.
The positivity and case fatality rates for the day were 4.15 per cent and 0.04 per cent, respectively.
A total of 2,03,260 samples were tested including 1,33,308 RT-PCR tests, taking the cumulative number of specimens examined to 5.73 crore.
According to the department, 3,44,917 inoculations were done today, taking the total covid vaccinations to 8.92 crore.
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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.
