Ex-CJI: Judges should not be exempted from declaring their assets

Express News ServiceNew Delhi, November 15: Favouring accountability at all levels of judiciary, former Chief Justice of India Justice J S Verma has said the judges should not be exempted from declaring their assets. Reacting sharply to some High Court judges’ opposition to the move on declaration of assets, Justice Verma said the government should go ahead with the Judges (Inquiry) Bill 2006 which has such a proposal.“Transparency and accountability must attach the functioning of everyone who wields public power. Judges are as much accountable in a democracy as anyone else...judges should be no exception,” the former CJI said in a television interview.
“I am surprised...it should not have happened,” he said on the judges’ opposition, adding that he considered it a wrong move on their part.