New Delhi, April 3 – In a significant step towards enhancing transparency in the judiciary, judges of the Supreme Court of India have agreed to publicly disclose their assets upon assuming office. This decision was taken during a full court meeting of the apex court, and the asset declarations will be made available on the official website of the Supreme Court.
As per agency report, the declaration of assets by judges will be on a voluntary basis. However, the initiative reflects a broader commitment to accountability and openness in the functioning of the judiciary.
So far, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, along with 30 other judges of the Supreme Court, have submitted their asset declarations. The Supreme Court's website states that judges should declare their assets at the time of taking charge and also report the acquisition of any substantial property thereafter to the Chief Justice.
The website notes that the asset declarations, including those by the Chief Justice of India, are part of a voluntary transparency initiative and will be accessible to the public. This move is seen as a progressive step in building trust in judicial institutions and ensuring greater public confidence in the system.
