Asset Declaration of Judges | 30 Sep 2024

Source: IE

Why in News?

Recently, a Right to Information reply showed that details of assets of only 13% of the total High Court judges are available in the public domain. 

• Details of assets include movable and immovable assets of the judges, their spouses, and dependents, investments in shares, mutual funds, fixed deposits, and liabilities like bank loans. 

What are the Key Facts Regarding Asset Declaration by Judges? 

• Low Rate of Declarations: Of the 749 judges posted across 25 High Courts in India, only 98 judges (approximately 13%) have made their assets available in the public domain. This is a strikingly low figure, despite the push for transparency. 
• Concentration of Asset Declarations: 80% of the declarations come from just three High Courts of Kerala High Court, Punjab and Haryana High Court and Delhi High Court. 
• Supreme Court’s Partial Disclosure: The Supreme Court released the names of 27 of its 33 judges who had declared their assets to the Chief Justice of India, but asset details were not disclosed. 
• Varied Responses: The Allahabad and Bombay High Courts stated that the asset declarations are not covered under the RTI Act, 2005 as “information.”  
  • The Gujarat High Court expressed that there is no public interest in disclosing judges’ personal information. 
  • The Andhra Pradesh High Court and Telangana High Court labelled asset declarations as confidential, and said they cannot be posted online. 

What are the Provisions for Declaration of Assets by Judges? 

• All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968: The government draws a comparison between judges and civil servants, as Judges' salaries are set in relation to the salaries of civil servants, especially those at the Secretary level in the Government of India. 
  • Rule 16(1) of the rules mandates that every person who is a member of the service must submit a return of their assets and liabilities which should apply to judges too. 
• Restatement of Values of Judicial Life 1997: In 1997, the Supreme Court adopted certain judicial standards which stated that every judge should make a declaration of all assets in the form of real estate or investment held in their names, in the name of their spouses or any other person dependent on them, to the Chief Justice. 
• 2009 Resolution: In 2009, the Supreme Court resolved to declare the judges’ assets on its official website adding that it was “purely on a voluntary basis”. 
  • In the same year, a resolution was passed by the Delhi High Court stating that all the judges have agreed to make their assets public. 
• Constitutional Authorities: Other constitutional authorities, such as the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and Council of Ministers, are already declaring their assets and making them publicly available. 
  • This sets a precedent for judges to also disclose their assets regularly and publicly. 
• Committee Recommendations: The Parliamentary Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, and Law and Justice recommended legislation for the mandatory disclosure of assets and liabilities of judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts. 
• Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill: A bill titled "The Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill, 2010" was prepared to address the need for judicial transparency, including mandatory asset declarations by judges.  
  • The bill, however, lapsed following the dissolution of the 15th Lok Sabha, and was never reintroduced. 

What is the Need for the Declaration of Assets by Judges? 

• Public Trust and Accountability: Judges regularly review legislation, government policies, and decisions related to awarding tenders, which makes it essential for them to ensure transparency regarding their assets.  
  • If a minister responsible for a tender must disclose their assets, the judge reviewing the minister's decisions should do the same. 
• Strengthening Public Confidence: The declaration of assets by judges will help to bolster public trust in the judicial system as it demonstrates their commitment to fairness and impartiality. 
• Transparency: SC has ruled that the Office of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) is a ‘public authority’ under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 and subject to the provisions of RTI Act, 2005. Asset declaration is a progressive move towards greater transparency in the judiciary. 
• Importance of Perception: In public life, how people perceive actions and decisions can significantly influence opinions and trust. The judiciary must be perceived to be transparent and beyond reproach.  
  • The article emphasises that maintaining secrecy around judges’ assets may undermine the public’s trust in the judiciary.

What Concerns are Related to Declaration of Assets by Judges?

• Privacy and Security: Public disclosure may expose judges and their families to risks like harassment or extortion, raising concerns about their safety and privacy. 
• Misuse of Information: Asset details could be misused for political or personal motives, leading to unwarranted scrutiny or pressure on judges. 
• Judicial Independence: Some argue that mandatory asset declarations may undermine judicial independence by subjecting judges to external influences or public criticism. 
• Voluntary Nature: Since asset disclosure is voluntary in India, inconsistencies in the practice could lead to a perception of unequal transparency. 
• Perceived Public Pressure: Judges might feel compelled to conform to public opinion on financial matters, potentially affecting their impartiality in cases involving financial or economic issues. 

Way Forward

• Enact Legislation: In August 2023, a Parliamentary Standing Committee released a report titled ‘Judicial Processes and their Reform’, recommending that legislation be enacted to require judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts to submit annual property returns to the appropriate authority. 
• Establish Clear Protocols: The Supreme Court should establish clear protocols for asset declaration, including timelines, formats, and specific information to be disclosed. 
• Annual Public Reports: The judiciary could publish annual reports summarising the asset declarations, similar to how other constitutional authorities operate.  
• Balance Privacy and Accountability: The framework for asset declaration should find a balance between maintaining the privacy of judges and ensuring public accountability.