Did you probe charges against ex-CJI KG Balakrishnan, asks SC

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has asked the government if it has conducted any probe into allegations that former chief justice of India KG Balakrishnan had amassed assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. The Centre has been given a month to respond to the SC query.

A bench headed by Chief Justice SH Kapadia asked the government to give details of any action it has taken or intended to take on the allegation that Balakrishnan, who is at present the chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, amassed properties worth 40 crore between 2004 to 2009. A petition to the government had accused Balakrishnan of amassing wealth in the name of his family members.

"We want to know what was done on the representation (before the government against ex-CJI) and what government intends to do," the bench said when it was pointed out that representation to the government was made ten months back but no action had been taken on it so far.

The bench asked Attorney General GE Vahanvati to appraise it on the issue within a month. Vahanvati assured the court that he will go through the petition and will write to all government authorities concerned.

The court was hearing a PIL filed by NGO Common Cause seeking directions to the government to conduct probe against the former CJI for allegedly amassing disproportionate assets.

Justice Balakrishnan was elevated as a Supreme Court judge on June 2000 and was appointed Chief Justice of India on January 14, 2007. He retired on May 12, 2010, after which he was appointed NHRC chairman.