21 of 33 Supreme Court Judges Make Assets Public in Move Toward Judicial Transparency

New Delhi, May 6, 2025: In a landmark step toward greater transparency, 21 out of 33 sitting judges of the Supreme Court, including Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, have publicly declared their assets. This marks a significant shift in the judiciary’s approach to accountability and openness.

According to an official statement issued by the Supreme Court, the Full Court resolved on April 1 that all judges would upload their asset declarations on the court’s official website. The decision was taken during a meeting led by CJI Khanna, where consensus was reached on the importance of making such information accessible to the public. The remaining judges are expected to follow suit once their current asset statements are submitted.

Among those who have already declared their assets are the three senior-most judges next in line to become the Chief Justice of India. The resolution mandates that each judge must declare their assets upon taking office and after acquiring any property of substantial value. These declarations are to be submitted to the Chief Justice and uploaded for public access.

This unprecedented move comes in the wake of a controversy involving the alleged seizure of large amounts of cash from the premises of Justice Yashwant Varma during his tenure at the Delhi High Court. While not officially linked, the incident is seen as a significant catalyst in prompting the judiciary to adopt more robust transparency norms.

The step has been widely welcomed by legal observers and civil society as a much-needed gesture of integrity within the judiciary, often perceived as opaque in its functioning. The Supreme Court’s initiative may also serve as a benchmark for high courts and lower courts to follow suit in due course.