The Supreme Court on Thursday held that judicial officers, who have completed seven years of practice as advocates prior to joining the bench, can be considered for appointment as district judges against vacancies reserved for members of the bar.

A five-judge Constitution bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justices M M Sundresh, Aravind Kumar, S C Sharma and K Vinod Chandran delivered two separate judgements to hold that judicial officers of subordinate judiciary are entitled to become district judges under direct recruitment process meant for advocates only.

“Judicial officers already completed seven years at bar before being in service will be entitled to be appointed as district judge,” the CJI said.

Delivering the judgement, the CJI said the interpretation of the constitutional scheme has to be “organic” and not “pedantic”.

“All the state governments in consultation with the high courts shall amend the rules in accordance with what has been held by us within a period of three months,” the judgement said.

Justice Sundresh delivered a separate and concurring verdict and held, “Letting go of the emerging talent by not identifying at and nurturing them at the earliest would lead to mediocrity as against the excellence, which would weaken the foundation and undermine the judicial structure. It is obvious that greater competition will serve a better quality.” The detailed judgement is awaited.

The top court had reserved the judgement on September 25 on over 30 petitions for three days on the issues believed to have wide ramifications for judicial recruitment across the country.

The bench examined questions over the interpretation of Article 233 of the Constitution that governs appointment of district judges.

One of the key questions for consideration was “whether a judicial officer, who has already completed seven years at the bar before joining judicial service, is entitled to appointment as an additional district judge against bar quota vacancies”. (AGENCIES)

Geetanjali Angmo, wife of renowned climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, met her husband at Jodhpur Central Jail on Tuesday. Wangchuk has been lodged in the facility since his detention on September 24 following violent protests in Leh.

During her visit alongside lawyer Ritam Khare, Angmo confirmed that Wangchuk’s legal team has secured a copy of the detention order. This order will be contested in court, wherein Angmo aims to seek her husband’s swift release.

According to Angmo, the detention order outlines the specific allegations against Wangchuk. It also details the reasons for invoking the National Security Act (NSA) against him. The accusations stem from his active role in the protests demanding statehood for Ladakh.

Earlier visits included Wangchuk’s brother, Tsetan Dorje, who met him in jail accompanied by lawyer Mustafa Haji. Following this visit, Haji shared on X that Wangchuk has called for an independent judicial inquiry into the tragic deaths of four individuals during last month’s protests.

“Wangchuk has expressed his willingness to remain in jail until such an inquiry is conducted,” Haji wrote. This illustrates Wangchuk’s unwavering commitment to the cause he champions.

In parallel, Angmo has filed a petition in the Supreme Court for her husband’s immediate release, with the hearing scheduled for October 14. Many anticipate that this case will shed light on the matters regarding civil liberties and human rights in the region.

Wangchuk, a prominent advocate for environmental and social issues in Ladakh, was detained under the NSA due to his involvement in protests demanding inclusion of the Union Territory under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. This inclusion aims to enhance local governance and ensure the protection of tribal rights.

Following his detention, authorities first took him to Delhi, later transferring him to Jodhpur Central Jail on September 26. Wangchuk’s detention raises serious questions about the handling of dissent in a democracy.

NEW DELHI: One GB of wireless data in India costs less than a cup of tea, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday as he showcased the country’s rapid digital growth to renew his pitch for Make in India across sectors from mobiles to semiconductors and electronics.

Speaking at the inauguration of the India Mobile Congress here, he said India’s democratic setup, the government’s welcoming approach and ease of doing business policies have helped the country attain an image of an investor-friendly destination.

“Our success in digital public infrastructure is a testament to how committed the government is to a digital-first mindset,” he said. “This is the best time to invest, innovate, and make in India.”

India has the world’s second-largest telecom market, the second-largest 5G market, the manpower, mobility and mindset to lead, he said.

The country recently launched its Made in India 4G Stack. With this, India has joined the list of just five countries in the world that possess this capability, he said.

In terms of user data consumption, we are among the leading countries in the world. “This means that digital connectivity in India is no longer a privilege or a luxury; it is an integral part of Indian life.” Listing tremendous progress made by India in the digital space in the last decade, he said, “1 GB of wireless data in India is cheaper than the cost of one cup of tea.” “The country that once struggled with 2G, today has 5G reaching almost every district,” he said.

He briefly mentioned data sovereignty, saying the world is generating more data than ever before, making issues of storage, security, and sovereignty critically important.

The Prime Minister had announced on August 15 that this year would be a year of big changes and big reforms.

“We are increasing the pace of reforms,” he said without elaborating.

Just last month, Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates were rationalised, making common-use items from shampoo to television sets cheaper.

India, he said, offers immense opportunities in the manufacturing of semiconductors, mobiles, and electronics.

Industry, innovators and startups need to step up now, he said.

On government actions to support digital push, Modi said the government is supporting the startup ecosystem with Telecom Technology Development Fund and Digital Communications Innovations Square. The government is also financing test beds for technologies like 5G, 6G, advanced optical communications, and tera-hertz to enable product development.

“India Mobile Congress and India’s success in the telecom sector reflect the strength of the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision,” he said, recalling how the idea of ‘Make in India’ was once frowned upon by skeptics who doubted India’s ability to produce technologically advanced products, citing delays of decades in adopting new technologies during earlier regimes.

The country which once struggled with 2G now has 5G coverage in nearly every district, he said, adding that electronics production has increased sixfold since 2014, mobile phone manufacturing has grown twenty-eight times, while its exports have surged by 127 times.

Over the past decade, the mobile phone manufacturing sector has generated millions of direct jobs. He cited recent data from a major smartphone company showing that 45 Indian firms are now part of its supply chain, creating approximately 3.5 lakh jobs just from one company.

“India recently launched its Made-in-India 4G stack, marking a major indigenous achievement. With this, India has now joined the list of five countries globally with this capability,” he said, calling it a significant step towards digital self-reliance and technological independence.

He stated that through the indigenous 4G and 5G stack, India will not only ensure seamless connectivity but also deliver high-speed internet and reliable services to its citizens.

On the day of the 4G stack launch, nearly one lakh 4G towers were activated simultaneously across the country, enabling over two crore people to become part of India’s digital movement, he said, emphasising that many of these areas were remote and previously lagging in digital connectivity, and now internet access has reached all such regions.

The Prime Minister said cyber security is being accorded equal priority in the country. Laws against cyber frauds have been made stricter, accountability has been enhanced, and grievance redressal mechanisms have been improved.

“India leads with a mindset focused on expanding industry and investment,” he said, underscoring how the country’s democratic setup, the government’s welcoming approach, and ease of doing business policies have established India as an investor-friendly destination.

He cited India’s successful digital public infrastructure as proof of the government’s digital-first mindset.

“This is the best time to invest, innovate and make in India,” he said. “From manufacturing to semiconductors, mobiles to electronics, and startups across sectors, India is brimming with possibilities and energy.” He urged attention to global supply chain disruptions across mobile, telecom, electronics, and the broader technology ecosystem, stating that wherever global bottlenecks exist, India has the opportunity to offer solutions.

He cited the example of semiconductor manufacturing, where capacity was previously concentrated in a few countries, and the world now seeks diversification. India, he said, has taken significant steps in this direction, with work underway on 10 semiconductor manufacturing units across the country.

The Prime Minister stated that in electronics manufacturing, global companies are seeking trusted partners who can deliver both scale and reliability. The world also needs dependable partners for the design and manufacturing of telecom network equipment, he said posing a compelling question why can’t Indian companies become reliable global suppliers and design partners? Modi remarked that in mobile manufacturing, components such as chipsets, batteries, displays, and sensors must increasingly be produced within the country.

NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday informed that he has transitioned to a new email service provider, Zoho Mail, for his correspondence.

In a message shared on X, Shah requested that all future communication be directed to his new address, amitshah.bjp@zohomail.in.

“Hello everyone. I have switched to Zoho Mail. Kindly note the change in my email address. My new email address is amitshah.bjp@zohomail.in. For future correspondence via mail, kindly use this address. Thank you for your kind attention to this matter,” Shah posted on X.

Zoho Mail is a secure and ad-free email hosting service developed by Zoho Corporation, an Indian multinational technology company headquartered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Launched in 2008, Zoho Mail is part of the larger Zoho Workplace suite, which includes tools for office productivity, collaboration, and communication.

Known for its strong privacy standards and data protection policies, Zoho Mail provides encrypted email transmission, two-factor authentication, and servers primarily hosted in India and the United States. It is widely used by businesses, professionals, and government organisations seeking a privacy-focused alternative to global email providers.

Zoho Mail is gaining popularity as an alternative to Gmail as users seek a privacy-focused and free email experience. The email service from Zoho is gaining popularity among professionals and small business owners because of its custom domain support, ad-free interface and enhanced privacy features. Zoho Mail is an ideal choice for users who want more control over their inbox and prefer a productivity-focused approach.

The Indian Air Force’s “bold and precise” attacks on enemy targets during Operation Sindoor restored the rightful place of offensive air action in the national consciousness, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said on Wednesday.

The Chief of Air Staff also said that his force has proved to the world how air power can be effectively used in shaping military outcomes in just a few days.

Air Chief Marshal Singh was addressing air warriors on the occasion of the Air Force Day at the Hindon air base.

“Our performance in Operation Sindoor fills us with professional pride. We proved to the world how air power can be effectively used in shaping military outcome in just a few days,” he said.

The Chief of Air Staff described Operation Sindoor as a shining example of what can be achieved through “meticulous planning, disciplined training and determined execution.” “India’s bold and precise attacks restored the rightful place of offensive air action in the national consciousness,” he said.

“Our robust air defence architecture and offensive employment of long-range surface to air missiles systems limited the adversary’s ability to operate and ensured safety of our vital assets,” he said.

“The outstanding performance of the indigenously developed and integrated weapons which delivered precise and devastating blows deep inside enemy territory, vindicates our faith in home-grown capabilities,” he said.

Air Chief Marshal Singh noted that the increasing pace of integration of new systems, weapons and equipment into the IAF’s operational plans has been a “significant success”.

“I can see that there is an increased culture of accountability, safety and security amongst the air warriors and this is directly reflected in our reduced incidents and accidents,” he said.

“At all levels, leaders are leading from the front, demonstrating exceptional vision and empathy. They are ensuring that every individual is empowered with the necessary training and is motivated,” he added. (Agencies)