HC defers hearing on plea on declaration of judges' assets

The Delhi High Court on Friday deferred hearing on a petition filed by the Supreme Court challenging a Central Information Commission (CIC) order directing that assets of the judges should be made public.

Justice S Ravinder Bhat adjourned the matter and posted it for further hearing on March 17. The court, however, issued notice to contesting parties on an application filed by the Delhi High Court Bar Association seeking to be impleaded in the case and asked them to file their reply by the next date of hearing.

Advocate Gaurav Duggal, appearing on behalf of the Supreme Court, opposed the plea of Bar Association and said there is no such necessity for it to be made party in the case.

The Supreme Court in its affidavit had said declaration of assets by its judges to the Chief Justice are 'personal' information, which cannot be revealed under the Right to Information Act. The apex court, in a submission before the High Court, however, had made it clear that its judges are not opposed to declaring their assets but there is no legal obligation to do so.

"It is submitted that the information which is sought (pertaining to judges assets) is purely and simply personal information, the disclosure of which has no relationship to any public activity," the apex court had said.