Candidate need not disclose all movable assets; enough to disclose details on luxury items, says Supreme Court 

INDIA: The Supreme Court said that the candidates are not required to disclose the details of their entire movable assets owned by them and their dependents in the nomination papers, and it is enough to disclose the assets that are of significant value and that reflect a luxurious lifestyle

The Guwahati High Court had quashed the election of Independent MLA Karikho Kri of Arunachal Pradesh for not disclosing the details of three vehicles in the name of his wife and son. This order was quashed by the Supreme Court. A bench comprising Justices Aniruddha Bose and Sanjay Kumar upheld Karikho Kri's selection. All three vehicles have been sold or given away as gifts before filing the nomination papers. Therefore, it cannot be said that the vehicles were owned by the wife and the son. Non-disclosure of vehicle information cannot be seen as an irregularity.

The Supreme Court did not accept the contention of the opposing Congress candidate that the candidate should completely leave his life to the scrutiny of the voters. The candidate has the right to privacy and the voters need not know every detail about the candidate's life. There is no need to disclose details about clothing, footwear, utensils, stationery and furniture except for movables which are so valuable that they reflect a life of luxury. High-value assets should be disclosed since voters need to know about the candidate's lifestyle. An expensive watch shows the candidate's luxurious life.

Movable properties

1. Gold ornaments,
2. Vehicles, aircraft, ship etc
3. Cash on hand
4. Bank, Postal and Stock Deposits
5. Insurance Policy