If a judge wants to disclose assets,he’s welcome: CJI

He clarified he had not prevented any judge from taking this step: “It is not a question of my willingness,” Balakrishnan said at a function where he released an autobiography of former SC judge K Ramaswamy.

The statement assumes significance coming soon after reported murmurs in the Supreme Court,where some judges are learnt to have privately expressed ‘pain’ at the apex court’s decision to oppose the Central Information Commission’s order asking judges to disclose details of their assets under the RTI Act.

Currently,judges submit details of their assets to the Chief Justices of their respective courts,but the information is not in the public domain. On January 19,the Delhi High Court stayed the CIC order on an appeal by the SC. The next hearing is on February 12.

Asked if the Supreme Court would convene a meeting to look at the issue again,the CJI joked,“We (Judges) meet every day… There are so many problems that are discussed. We should be discussing that issue also…”