SC dismisses contempt plea on asset disclosure

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a contempt plea alleging that the central government failed to enforce its 2018 directions on disclosure of assets by candidates contesting elections.

A bench of justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan examined the government's response and held that there was no wilful disobedience of the earlier judgment.

Speaking for the bench, Justice Pardiwala verbally remarked that there is no wilful disobedience. "It depends on the nature of directions and how to implement those directions," Justice Pardiwala remarked. In its 2018 ruling, the court held that non-disclosure of assets and sources of income by candidates and their associates would amount to a corrupt practice and could lead to disqualification. It had directed disclosure of assets of candidates as well as their spouses and dependants. The contempt plea, filed last year, alleged failure to properly implement the judgment.


During the hearing, the Lokpal's general secretary said an amended plea sought a permanent mechanism to monitor legislators whose assets increase by 100% between elections. He suggested that such cases could be referred to the Lokpal.