Supreme Court judges unanimously agree to declare their assets following Justice Varma case row

In a historic step to increase transparency and build public trust in the judiciary, all 33 sitting judges of the Supreme Court of India have voted unanimously to publish their asset declarations.

At a full-court meeting on April 1, the judges chose to make public their assets in front of Chief Justice of India. These affidavits shall be posted on the official website of the Supreme Court, as per sources. The resolution will apply to both current and future judges. The decision has come amidst controversy over the discovery of burnt piles of cash at the alleged official chambers of Justice Yashwant Varma, a sitting judge of Delhi High Court at the time being. As the developments later unfolded, the Collegium system transferred Justice Varma from the Delhi High Court to Allahabad High Court, which is incidentally his parent High Court. Currently, in the dock of Cash at Home row, Justice Varma is facing the heat from an in-house inquiry. 

The new step is a step towards more accountability and transparency in the judiciary.

The modalities of judges asset declarations are still to be decided, but the action is regarded as a major reform to enhance judicial transparency. By opening up their assets for public scrutiny, the Supreme Court judges hope to promote confidence in the legal system and establish a precedent for enhanced accountability in the judiciary.

Also Read: Critiquing the Collegium System: The Need for Reform in Judicial Appointments

Currently, all the SC judges have filed their declarations of assets, and the next steps are being taken to make them publicly available.