SC Judges to Disclose Assets Publicly Amid Transparency Push

In a historic move aimed at reinforcing public trust in the judiciary, the Supreme Court of India has resolved to make the personal asset declarations of all its judges publicly accessible. The decision was taken during a Full Court meeting held on April 1, chaired by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna.

The development comes in the aftermath of a recent controversy involving the discovery of partially burned currency notes at the official residence of Delhi High Court judge, Justice Yashwant Varma. The incident sparked widespread concern about accountability and ethics within the higher judiciary.

Sources close to the Supreme Court indicated that this collective move was not just a response to the controversy but part of a broader effort to uphold judicial integrity and set a benchmark for transparency across all levels of the legal system.

The publication of judges’ assets has long been a demand from various quarters advocating judicial reforms. While some judges in the past have voluntarily declared their assets, this is the first time that the entire Supreme Court bench has formally committed to doing so in a unified and systematic manner.

This initiative is expected to set a precedent for High Courts and lower courts across the country to follow suit, potentially reshaping public perception and trust in the judiciary at a critical time.