In a landmark step to bolster public confidence in the judiciary, 21 of the 33 sitting judges of the Supreme Court of India—including Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna—have voluntarily disclosed their personal assets.
The move, endorsed by the Full Court on April 1, 2025, aims to make judicial accountability a tangible reality.
Asset Declarations Now Accessible Online
With immediate effect, the statements of assets for judges whose disclosures have already been submitted are being uploaded to the Supreme Court’s official website. According to an official communiqué:
“The Full Court of the Supreme Court of India has on April 1, 2025, decided that the statement of assets of the Judges of this Court shall be placed in the public domain by uploading the same on the website of this Court. Statements of assets of judges that have already been received are being uploaded. Statement of assets of other Judges will be uploaded as and when the current statement of assets is received.”
This transparent repository now includes the asset details of 21 judges, among whom are the 3 senior-most judges poised to succeed CJI Khanna in the near future.
Full Court Resolution On Asset Disclosure
The resolution, passed unanimously during the Full Court meeting led by CJI Sanjiv Khanna, establishes 2 key requirements for all sitting judges:
- Every judge must submit a full statement of assets and liabilities when first appointed to the Supreme Court.
- Judges are also required to update their asset declarations whenever they make any substantial acquisition of assets.
By making these declarations publicly accessible, the Court has turned what was once an internal administrative formality into a mandatory, transparent process.
Staggered Implementation
While 21 judges have already furnished their statements, the remaining 12 are expected to comply imminently. The Supreme Court has assured that “Statement of assets of other Judges will be uploaded as and when the current statement of assets is received.” Once all disclosures are in place, the Court’s website will serve as a single point of reference for citizens, researchers, and the media to review the financial standings of India’s highest judicial officeholders.
Context
This decisive action follows recent public scrutiny over an incident in which a considerable sum of cash was reportedly seized from the chambers of Justice Yashwant Varma during his tenure at the Delhi High Court. Although that controversy involved a different court, it ignited widespread calls for greater judicial transparency nationwide. By proactively publishing asset declarations, the Supreme Court has sought to head off such controversies and demonstrate its commitment to ethical probity.
Building Trust Through Openness
Transparency advocates have welcomed the move as a critical step toward reinforcing the independence and integrity of the judiciary. By placing asset declarations in the public domain, the Supreme Court is empowering citizens to hold their judges to the highest ethical standards while also dispelling any perception of impropriety.
As this initiative unfolds, all eyes will be on the remaining judges to complete their disclosures and on the Supreme Court to maintain this new level of openness. If sustained, it could set a powerful precedent for other constitutional bodies and further cement public faith in India’s justice system.
Read More: Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, States High Court, International
