New Delhi, August 25: Expressing unhappiness over the ongoing debate on judges’ assets declaration issue, former Chief Justice of India J S Verma today said CJI K G Balakrishnan should cut short “unsavoury” debate on the issue by making public his own assets, claiming that most of the judges are ready for it.
“Many judges have talked to me personally, both of the Supreme Court and High Court. They have all said that they want to do it…I only wish that the CJI cuts short this unsavoury debate and makes a declaration himself,” the former CJI said in an interview to the CNN-IBN.
Justice Verma expressed confidence that the judges who are ready to disclose their assets would follow the CJI soon after he makes a declaration of his assets and “all this unhealthy talks going against the judiciary which is not correct will stop.”
Reacting to the CJI’s remarks that there was a need for a consensus on the issue, he said it already exists.
Referring to the declaration of assets resolution which was passed by 22 SC judges when he was the CJI, Verma said, “We did not decide to keep it confidential. I declared my assets as soon as I assumed office and thereafter these resolutions were adopted unanimously by all the 22 Supreme Court judges who were in office that time.
—Agencies