In a landmark step towards transparency, the Supreme Court of India has put out the assets and liabilities of 21 of its 33 sitting judges, including Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and the subsequent three chief justices-in-waiting, on its website. This public release comes after a Full Court resolution adopted on April 1, 2025, requiring judges to file and make public asset returns upon taking office and after they accumulate significant assets.

Key Points

The declarations contain information of movable and immovable properties, inherited and acquired assets, investments, loans, jewellery, and vehicles.

Chief Justice of India Sanjeev Khanna made declarations over residential properties in Delhi and Gurugram, investments over ₹55 lakh, and no loan.

The step follows a series of controversies recently involving the judiciary over judicial impropriety and seeks to restore public trust in the judiciary.

Asset details of the remaining judges will be released as received.

This is the first time in the history of the Supreme Court that judges’ asset declarations have been disclosed, a move which is an important step towards judicial accountability and transparency