Judiciary divided over judges' assets

There is a big divide within the judiciary over whether judges should publically declare their assets. The Chief Justice of India, K G Balakrishnan, who has opposed this so far, has said a consensus has to be reached in the Supreme Court on the issue.

The row has intensified after the Chief Justice of India called a Karnataka High Court judge D V Shylendra a publicity seeker. The High Court judge had also questioned whether Justice Balakrishnan can claim to represent the views of the higher judiciary.

"Every High Court judge has got freedom to declare assets. No problem, but as far Supreme Court is concerned, we have to reach consensus," said Balakrishnan.

"How can a single judge of High Court cause embarrassment to the institution?" he added.

But the divide is growing, with more High Court judges preparing to declare their assets. Among them, the Punjab and Haryana High Court judge, K Kannan, who is not only the first sitting judge to declare his wealth, but also the first judge to put up his views on a blog.

However, it's not just High Court judges who seem to be challenging the Chief Justice.

"The CJI should publicise his own assets on the court website and set an example for judges in the High Court and Supreme Court," said former CJI Justice J S Verma.

Some feel that Supreme Court judges will not agree to making their assets public, until it's made a law.

"The issue has been going on for one year. Parliament will have to make a law. Honest judges are willing to declare their assets," said eminent advocate Prashant Bhushan, convener, Committee for Judicial Accountability.

There is increasing pressure both from Parliament and the people for judges to declare their assets. Now the ball is in the Chief Justice court, and he will have to take a call.