The central government has informed a parliamentary committee that it is considering establishing rules to outline the procedure for the statutory provision of declaring assets for supreme court and high court judges. The Department of Justice in the Law Ministry stated that consultations have been initiated with the registry of the apex court in this regard. The department mentioned that it is awaiting the reply from the registry on this issue.
In response to the government's statement recorded in the Action Taken Report, the Standing Committee related to the Department of Law and Personnel requested the expedited consultation process with the registry for judges of the Apex court and High Courts to declare their assets upon their initial appointment. Statutory provisions can be made in related rules.
The Committee's action taken report on its previous report on "Judicial Processes and their Reforms" was tabled in parliament during the recently concluded Budget session. In its previous report, the committee headed by bharatiya janata party (BJP) mp Sushil Kumar Modi had recommended that all constitutional functionaries and government servants should file annual returns of their assets and liabilities as a general practice. The committee emphasized that a person holding public office should file such returns.
The committee highlighted that the supreme court has ruled that the public has the right to know the assets of people contesting for mp or MLA, and, therefore, judges are not exempt from disclosing their assets and liabilities. The committee argued that anyone holding public office and receiving a salary from the public treasury must compulsorily file an annual return of their assets.
Moreover, the committee stated that the declaration of assets by judges of the supreme court and 25 High Courts would instil more confidence in the system and enhance its credibility. It added that after initiating consultations with the supreme court Registry to seek their views on this matter, the Committee is awaiting their response.
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