New Delhi, Oct. 21 -- In March 2003, the Supreme Court passed a historic verdict that filled a legislative gap. It made the disclosure of wealth details and criminal records of election candidates mandatory, via self-sworn affidavits.

It based its verdict on the right of voters to know, so that they could make informed decisions. These affidavits would have self-declared information that was far more reliable than the grapevine and press reportage; unless reported by a candidate, any data dissemination could potentially attract defamation charges.

Politicians eventually welcomed the change after a few grumbles that the judiciary had invaded the legislative turf. One senior politician and minister, who was known to be wealthy and had a c...