New Delhi/Kochi, August 28
Judges of the Delhi and Kerala high courts today decided to make public details of their assets - the first in the state judiciary - two days after a landmark decision by the Supreme Court judges to reveal information about their wealth.

The asset details, which are at the core of an intense public debate in the country, are expected to be put up on the websites of the respective courts in a couple of months since the modalities and the manner of declaration are being finalised.

The move by the two high courts came even as Chief Justice of India KG Balakrishnan suggested that the judges of high courts cannot be compelled by the apex judiciary to follow suit. Balakrishnan, however, hoped that some of the high courts would follow the apex court.

Justice Balakrishnan said SC judges would make their assets public on the official website in a “month or more”. “It is a unanimous decision and every judge of the Supreme Court will disclose his assets,” the CJI told mediapersons in reply to a question if there was any apprehension that some apex court judges might not agree.

A resolution adopted after the full court meeting of the Delhi High Court said all judges had agreed to make their assets public.

In Kochi, the Kerala High Court also took the decision at a full court meeting. The assets of the 33 judges, including Chief Justice SR Bannurmath, would be posted on the court website by September 30, Registrar General D Srivalabhan said. — PTI