Table of Contents
Judges' assets + transfers — RTI route (2026 guide)
Quick answer: Judges' asset declarations: HC judges to Chief Justice; SC judges to President. Transfers: collegium-decided. Per *Subhash Chandra Agarwal v CPIO* (SC 2019), these are public-interest disclosable.
Key facts
- HC judges declare assets to Chief Justice annually
- SC judges declare to President / Cabinet Secretary
- Transfers: SC Collegium recommendation → President approval
- Per *Subhash Chandra Agarwal* (SC 2019): public-interest accountability applies
- RTI to Court PIO for declarations + transfer orders
- Some courts publish declarations on website
Step-by-step
- Check court website first — Some HCs + SC publish summarised declarations.
- RTI to Court PIO — For specific judge's declaration / transfer order.
- PIO refers to public-interest standard — Subhash Chandra Agarwal applies.
- Appellate process if denied — §19(1) FAA + IC.
- Court may invoke §8(1)(j) — counter with public-interest — Cite SC 2019.
Common issues
- Declaration “in confidence” — counter with public-interest override per Subhash Chandra Agarwal.
- Transfer reasons opaque — court may withhold; appeal to IC.
- Specific assets exempted — privacy v transparency balancing.
- Old declarations — RTI for past 5 years available.
If stuck — file an RTI
Court records are split: judicial records (case file, orders) follow CPC rules + court counter; administrative records (vacancy, infrastructure, listing logic, judges' assets) are disclosable via RTI to the court PIO.
1. Status of my case no. _____ as on date. 2. Reasons for delay / non-listing in past 30 days. 3. Number of similar cases pending + disposed in past 12 months. 4. Procedure to seek certified copy / file inspection. 5. Name + designation of court PIO + appellate authority.
Auto-fill the PIO + your case: Open the AI RTI Drafter →
Frequently asked questions
Why disclose judges' assets?
Constitutional accountability — judges are public officials; assets relevant to integrity.
SC ruling supporting?
*Subhash Chandra Agarwal v CPIO* (SC 2019) — judicial appointments + assets disclosable.
Privacy concern?
Public-interest override applies; specific identifying details may be redacted.
Transfer challenge?
Limited; only writ petition on procedural illegality grounds.
Summary + next step
Bottom line: Judges' asset declarations: HC judges to Chief Justice; SC judges to President. Transfers: collegium-decided. Per *Subhash Chandra Agarwal v CPIO* (SC 2019), these are public-interest disclosable.
- AI RTI Drafter: Auto-fill PIO + your case
- Browse all eCourts guides: eCourts index
- Helplines + grievance: 32 helplines
Related
Last reviewed: 26 April 2026.

