Bangalore: Union Law Minister M Veerappa
Moily today virtually backed Chief Justice of India K G
Balakrishnan on the issue of assets declaration by judges and
said if judges were voluntarily disclosing their assets
and "wanting to become heroes, it is their wish."
"Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan has already made
his views known on the issue. If the judges are voluntarily
disclosing their assets and wanting to become heroes, it is
their wish," he said replying to questions from reporters on
the issue which has gained more prominence with some judges
volunteering to make their assets public.
However, a legislation pertaining to the issue was already
before Parliament, Moily said on the sidelines of inauguration
of the Alternate Dispute Resolution Cell here.
"The judges of the Supreme Court have to disclose their
assets before the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court while the
judges of the High Courts have to declare their assets before
Chief Justice of High Courts", Moily said.
Justice Balakrishnan had said on Monday that a consensus
was needed on disclosure of assets by Supreme Court judges to
the Chief Justice of India. "...every High Court judge has got
the freedom to declare assets. No problem on this."
His remarks had come in response to declaration of assets
by Justices Shylendra Kumar of Karnataka High Court and K
Kannan of Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Justice Kumar had stirred a hornet`s nest by saying in a
newspaper article that the CJI cannot speak on behalf of the
entire judiciary on the issue.
On Sunday, the CJI had hit back saying Justice Kumar was
"publicity crazy". He, however, said the High Court judges
were free to declare their assets if they want.
Bureau Report
