Karnataka clocks 1,194 fresh coronavirus cases, 5 deaths
33 Covid-19 positive cases reported in Dakshina Kannada
Bengaluru, Dec 20: After several months since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, Karnataka reported only five deaths on Sunday taking the toll to 12,009 whereas the total caseload touched 9.09 lakh with 1,194 new infections, the health department said.
The total infection count comprised 8,82,944 discharges cumulatively including 1,062 on Sunday and 14,497 active cases, a bulletin issued by the department said.
Half the cases reported in the state on Sunday were contributed by Bengaluru urban district which saw 659 infections.
The city also witnessed a steep decline in daily fatalities with just two deaths on Sunday, which is lowest after several months.
Cumulatively, the city has reported 3.82 lakh cases, 4,268 deaths, 3,68,992 discharges and 9,607 active cases.
The health department in its bulletin said 75 infections were reported in Mysuru, 39 in Tumakuru, 36 in Bengaluru Rural, 34 in Mandya, 33 in Dakshina Kannada, 24 in Kolar, 23 each in Belagavi, Vijayapura and Hassan and 22 in Kalaburagi.
Cases were also reported in other districts.
Besides two deaths in Bengaluru, the health department said two deaths were reported in Chamarajanagar and one death in Vijayapura.
As many as 1,10,228 tests were carried out on Sunday including 96,324 using the RT PCR and other methods, taking the total to 1.3 crore, the department added.
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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.
