Sorry for what happened, but we have to follow rules: UWW Chief on Vinesh Phogat disqualification
New Delhi: As the wrestling world waits for the outcome of Vinesh Phogat's appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), United World Wrestling (UWW) President Nenad Lalovic addressed the controversy surrounding her disqualification from the Paris Olympics. Speaking to NDTV, Lalovic expressed his sympathy for Phogat, who was disqualified just before her gold medal bout for being 100 grams over the required 50kg weight limit.
Lalovic explained that while the situation was unfortunate, UWW had no choice but to enforce the rules. "I am so sorry for what happened, but no matter the size of your country, athletes are athletes. This weigh-in was public, everyone saw what happened. How can we allow someone to compete when we all saw what happened? We don't have any other choice but to follow our rules," he said.
He emphasized that the rule was introduced for the health of athletes and noted that UWW is guided by its medical commission, which strongly opposes any changes to the current regulations. Despite the appeal, Lalovic indicated that there was little chance of the decision being overturned.
Phogat, who had already reached the final, is appealing for a joint silver medal, although there is no provision for this under current rules. India continues to wait for CAS's decision, with hopes still alive for a favorable outcome.
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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.
