New Bill would make Indian Judges disclose assets

New Delhi, June 26 (ANI): Union Minister for Law and Justice M. Veerappa Moily said that the Government would bring a legislation in the coming Budget session of the Parliament to ensure disclosure of assets by judges mandatory.

The disclosure of assets by judges has been debated for long time in the country. Barring the Chief Justice, the other Supreme Court judges presently voluntarily file a statement about their assets and liabilities with the Chief Justice of India.

In his meeting with the members of the Press association here, Moily said that he was confident of finalizing judicial reforms by mid -September.

Moily said it would be his endeavour to make the Indian judicial system one of the best in the world, making justice affordable and accessible.

Expressing concern over the long list of cases pending in the courts, Moily said the government would come out with a road map to reduce the pending period from 15 years to three years.

Outlining the first 100 days programmes of his Ministry, Moily said that 100 Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) courts will be established to hear corruption cases on the lines of the fast track courts. A hundred more courts would be set up to handle the cases of atrocities against the women and children, he added.

The Law Minister disclosed that action will be taken soon to fill the various posts in the judicial service to reduce vacancies. (ANI)