In a significant step towards promoting transparency, Supreme Court judges have collectively agreed to make their asset declarations public upon assuming office. During a full court meeting on Thursday, the judges resolved to disclose their assets, which will be made accessible on the Supreme Court's official website. According to the apex court's website, the publication of asset declarations will be entirely voluntary, allowing judges to exercise discretion in making their financial details public.
Thirty judges, including Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, have submitted their declarations of assets. "The full court of the Supreme Court had resolved that judges should make a declaration of their assets on assuming office, and whenever any acquisition of a substantial nature is made, to the Chief Justice. "This also includes declaration(s) by the Chief Justice of India. Placing the declaration of assets on the Supreme Court website will be on a voluntary basis," the SC website said.
Notably, all judges of the apex court have reportedly submitted their asset declarations, but these details have not yet been made public. This development follows a recent controversy involving the alleged discovery of burnt bundles of cash at the official residence of Delhi High Court judge Yashwant Varma, after a fire incident.
In response to the incident, the law ministry subsequently issued a notification announcing Justice Varma’s transfer. However, Justice Varma has firmly rejected any insinuations related to the discovery, asserting that neither he nor his family members ever kept cash in the storeroom of his residence. Justice Varma was recently transferred from the Delhi High Court to the Allahabad High Court in the midst of the cash stash row.
(With inputs from agencies)