Government on its part said that the verdict by which details of judges assets can be sought invoking the public tool--RTI--should not affect the "independence" of judiciary.
"We must safeguard the independence of judiciary...We do not consider the verdict as an embarassment," Law and Justice Minister Veerappa Moily said.
Moily noted there are still avenues of appeal to the Supreme Court but did not want to comment further.
Prominent lawyer Prashant Bhushan, who has been appearing for the RTI activist Subash C Agarwal behind the campaign for judges to declare their assets, said, "It is a very historic judgement by the High Court which will certainly enhance the stature of judiciary in the country."
He said the judgement also emphatically emphasised that the code of conduct and asset declaration is "fully enforceable" and that every exercise of power by the judiciary and by the Chief Justice whether in its administrative capacity or in judicial capacity is accountable and comes within the purview of the RTI Act.
Agarwal himself said the verdict is a "victory for consumers of justice."
Senior advocate and Congress spokesman A M Singhvi welcomed the verdict and hoped that the administrative side of the apex court would not go in appeal on the judicial side.
"Perhaps one can go to the extent of adding that hopefully, the Supreme Court on its administrative side will decide not to appeal on its judicial side," Singhvi said.
Former CJI V N Khare said fears that the RTI Act could be abused to get details of judges' assets were unfounded.
"In case, somebody abuses this RTI, the Supreme Court is strong enough to take action against them. So there is nothing wrong in your assets being in public domain," he added.
Senior advocate K T S Tulsi said the decision of the Delhi High Court would strengthen the faith of the common man in the judiciary and should be welcomed by one and all.
"I think it is a significant step in the journey towards transparency in the function of every public office. Judiciary itself must welcome it because it is merely an extension of policy evolved by the Supreme Court in public interest," he said.
Tulsi further said that the initial concern and worries would gradually resolve themselves and the media will also learn to use the information with responsibility.
"Overall, I feel that as a result of this judgement, the image of the judiciary will be enhanced in the mind of common man. This will increase transparency in the functioning of the judiciary and exude confidence in the common man," he said.
"We must safeguard the independence of judiciary...We do not consider the verdict as an embarassment," Law and Justice Minister Veerappa Moily said.
Moily noted there are still avenues of appeal to the Supreme Court but did not want to comment further.
Prominent lawyer Prashant Bhushan, who has been appearing for the RTI activist Subash C Agarwal behind the campaign for judges to declare their assets, said, "It is a very historic judgement by the High Court which will certainly enhance the stature of judiciary in the country."
He said the judgement also emphatically emphasised that the code of conduct and asset declaration is "fully enforceable" and that every exercise of power by the judiciary and by the Chief Justice whether in its administrative capacity or in judicial capacity is accountable and comes within the purview of the RTI Act.
Agarwal himself said the verdict is a "victory for consumers of justice."
Senior advocate and Congress spokesman A M Singhvi welcomed the verdict and hoped that the administrative side of the apex court would not go in appeal on the judicial side.
"Perhaps one can go to the extent of adding that hopefully, the Supreme Court on its administrative side will decide not to appeal on its judicial side," Singhvi said.
Former CJI V N Khare said fears that the RTI Act could be abused to get details of judges' assets were unfounded.
"In case, somebody abuses this RTI, the Supreme Court is strong enough to take action against them. So there is nothing wrong in your assets being in public domain," he added.
Senior advocate K T S Tulsi said the decision of the Delhi High Court would strengthen the faith of the common man in the judiciary and should be welcomed by one and all.
"I think it is a significant step in the journey towards transparency in the function of every public office. Judiciary itself must welcome it because it is merely an extension of policy evolved by the Supreme Court in public interest," he said.
Tulsi further said that the initial concern and worries would gradually resolve themselves and the media will also learn to use the information with responsibility.
"Overall, I feel that as a result of this judgement, the image of the judiciary will be enhanced in the mind of common man. This will increase transparency in the functioning of the judiciary and exude confidence in the common man," he said.
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