RS members demand judicial accountability

New Delhi, Nov 27 (UNI) Members in the Rajya Sabha today demanded fixing accountability in higher judiciary and said that senior judges also be asked to declare their assets like the politicians and bureaucrats.

The members were unanimous in condemning corruption in certain strata of higher judiciary and called for a discussion on the subject in the House.

Raising the matter during Zero Hour, Sharad Yadav (JD-U) said a retired judge had admitted that his sons had built assets worth Rs 200 crore from the recent demolition drive in Delhi but he did not identify the judge.

If the Supreme Court could give orders against bureaucrats and politicians, there should be a system of accountability for the judges also, he said.

BJP member Shatrughan Singh said when the MPs had to declare their assets at the time of elections, judgess too should be asked to declare their assets.

''What is right for Peter, is also right for Paul,'' he said.

The issue was supported by almost all the members present in the House. Deputy Chairman Rahman Khan said that in view of the seriousness of the matter, he could consider a short-duration discussion on it.

UNI