SC Judges to Publicly Declare Personal Asset Details

Why in the News ?

In a historic move, all 33 Supreme Court judges unanimously decided to disclose their asset details on the court website, following controversy over cash found at a High Court judge’s residence, aiming to boost judicial transparency and public trust.

SC Judges to Publicly Declare Personal Asset Details

Background and Trigger:

  • On April 1, 2025, a Full Court meeting of all 33 serving Supreme Court judges was held.
  • The meeting resulted in a unanimous decision to publish judges’ assets on the Supreme Court’s official website.
  • The move follows a controversy involving half-burnt cash found at the residence of a High Court judge, sparking public concern over judicial accountability.

Past Resolutions and Legal Context:

  • A 1997 Resolution led by then CJI J.S. Verma required judges to declare assets to the Chief Justice of India, though the disclosures were to remain confidential.
  • In 2009, another Full Court resolution allowed voluntary online disclosure of assets, but compliance has been inconsistent.
  • As of now, the court website displays asset declarations from only 30 judges, despite there being 33.
  • In 2009, the Delhi High Court ruled that such disclosures fell under the Right to Information Act, 2005, and the CJI wasn’t holding the information in a “fiduciary capacity”.

Legal Interpretations and Future Steps

  • A 2019 Supreme Court Constitution Bench held that disclosure of judicial assets does not violate privacy if it serves public interest
  • Justice Sanjiv Khanna authored the main opinion, while Justice D.Y. Chandrachud added that judicial independence isn’t protected by secrecy.
  • The move aims to strengthen judicial transparency, ensure accountability, and regain public trust amid growing scrutiny.