Outgoing CJI Khanna and CJI-designate Gavai: What asset declarations of both SC judges reveal?
The Supreme Court on Monday uploaded the asset declarations of its judges, including outgoing Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and CJI-designate Justice B R Gavai, marking a significant step in judicial transparency.
CJI Khanna, who is set to retire on May 13, has disclosed fixed deposits worth Rs 55.75 lakh, a three-bedroom DDA flat in South Delhi, and a 2,446 sq ft four-bedroom apartment in the Commonwealth Games Village. He also holds a 56 per cent share in a four-bedroom flat in Sispal Vihar, Gurugram, and stakes in a house and land in Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh.
His investments include over Rs 1.06 crore in a Public Provident Fund, a General Provident Fund of Rs 1.77 crore, LIC Money Back Policy with a yearly premium of Rs 29,625, and shares worth Rs 14,000. Among movable assets, he owns 250 grams of gold, 2 kg of silver—largely inherited or gifted—and a 2015 Maruti Swift car.
In contrast, Justice Gavai, who will take over as the 51st Chief Justice on May 14, declared over Rs 19.63 lakh in bank deposits. His real estate holdings include an inherited house in Amravati, apartments in Mumbai's Bandra and Delhi’s Defence Colony, and agricultural land in Amravati and Nagpur.
On the movable assets front, Justice Gavai has gold and jewellery worth Rs 5.25 lakh, while his spouse possesses jewellery valued at Rs 29.70 lakh and cash worth Rs 61,320.
Majority of judges comply as court makes details public
The Supreme Court’s move to upload asset declarations follows a full court decision taken on April 1 to make judges' asset statements publicly accessible.
"The full court of the Supreme Court of India has on April 1, 2025, decided that the statements of assets of the judges of this court shall be placed in the public domain by uploading the same on the website of this court. Statements of assets of judges already received are being uploaded. Statements of assets of other judges will be uploaded as and when the current statement of assets is received," the court said in a release.
Out of 33 judges, 21 have disclosed their assets so far.
Judges Surya Kant, Oka, Nath, and Viswanathan also reveal holdings
Justice Surya Kant, set to become CJI on November 24, has disclosed ownership of a house in Sector 10, Chandigarh, 13 acres of agricultural land in Panchkula, and a 300 sq yard plot in Gurugram. He holds fixed deposits of Rs 4.11 crore, gold ornaments weighing 100 grams, and three luxury watches.
Justice Abhay S Oka, retiring on May 24, owns a residential flat and agricultural land in Thane, along with Rs 21.76 lakh in fixed deposits and Rs 9.10 lakh in savings.
Justice Vikram Nath declared a two-bedroom flat in Noida, a bungalow in Civil Lines, Prayagraj, 20 bighas of agricultural land in Kaushambi, and investments worth Rs 1.5 crore.
Justice K V Viswanathan, who joined the bench from the Bar in May 2023, reported over Rs 120 crore in assets, including properties in Delhi’s Safdarjung Development Area and Gulmohar Park, and an apartment in Coimbatore. He also declared over Rs 91.47 crore in income tax from 2010–11 to 2024–25.
Supreme Court also publishes appointment process details
Alongside asset disclosures, the apex court has placed details of appointments to high courts and the Supreme Court on its website. These include the role of the High Court Collegium, feedback from state and central governments, and recommendations by the Supreme Court Collegium.
"The proposals approved by the Supreme Court Collegium for appointments as high court judges during the period from November 9, 2022 to May 5, 2025, including the names, high court, source -- whether from service or Bar, date of recommendation by the Supreme Court Collegium, date of notification by the Department of Justice, date of appointment, special category (SC/ST/OBC/Minority/Woman) and whether the candidate is related to any sitting or retired High Court/Supreme Court judge, have also been uploaded on the Supreme Court website," the court statement said.