Supreme Court Publishes Assets of Judges

Context

Twenty-one Supreme Court judges, along with the Chief Justice of India, have disclosed their financial assets and liabilities at the supreme court’s website.

Background

• Judicial responsibility has long been a topic of dialogue in India, particularly in terms of financial disclosures and moral standards.
• Unlike elected representatives or civil servants, judges aren’t legally mandated to publicly claim their assets.
• The current disclosure followed a resolution of the Full Court, aimed at promoting public trust in the judiciary.

Timeline of Key Developments

• 1997: First Full Court Resolution under CJI J.S. Verma recommends asset declaration by judges to the Chief Justice.
• 2009: A Full Court resolved to permit voluntary disclosure of judges’ assets on the SC web site.
• 2009: Delhi High Court held that such declarations are “information” under Section 2(f) of the RTI Act, 2005.
• 2019: The Constitution Bench ruled that the CJI is a “public authority” under the RTI Act and asset disclosure serves the public interest without violating privacy.
• 2025: The Supreme Court starts publishing assets of sitting judges, consisting of familial ties, proactively on its internet site.

Significance of the asset statement by SC

• Promotes Transparency: It reinforces the judiciary’s commitment to openness and ethical behavior.
• Builds Public Trust: It enables counter perceptions of judicial elitism or bias.
• Constitutional Morality: It aligns with values like integrity and obligation enshrined in the Preamble and Part IV – Directive Principles of State Policy of Indian Constitution.

Need for Trust and Integrity within the Judiciary

• Judiciary because the Guardian of the Constitution: The judiciary plays a vital position in upholding the Constitution, protecting fundamental rights, and ensuring test and balances.
• Ensuring Accountability: Lack of integrity in judiciary can lead to judicial delays, or misuse of power undermining justice and promoting inequality. Public asset disclosure is a step to ensure accountability.
• Institutional Stability: In times of political instability or social unrest, the judiciary acts as a stabilising pressure. A depended on judiciary can clear up constitutional crises and toughen national harmony.

Conclusion

• Trust and integrity within the judiciary are the cornerstones of a just society. They ensure not only legal justice, but social balance, democratic power, and the moral authority of the state. 
• Transparency, ethical behavior, and institutional reforms are essential to nurture and sustain that acceptance as true.

Source: The Hindu

UPSC Mains Practice Question

Q. Constitutional Morality’ is rooted in the Constitution itself and is founded on its essential facets. Explain the doctrine of ‘Constitutional Morality’ with the help of relevant judicial decisions. (2021)

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