Ex-CJI says KGB should quit as NHRC head

NEW DELHI: A day after income tax authorities in Kochi claimed that three close relatives of former Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan were found to possess black money, ex-CJI J S Verma on Sunday demanded that Balakrishnan quit as NHRC chief and if he did not, the President should intervene to get him removed from the post.

"I think he (Balakrishnan) should quit and if the allegations are not true according to him, the burden lies on him to prove them wrong and silence is no longer an option," Verma was quoted as saying by a news agency. Asked what should be done if Balakrishnan refused to step down, Verma said, "Well, in that case, I think it's time the President should move in to take action. There is after all a provision for removal. So if he chooses to keep quiet and doesn't have himself cleared, well then, the removal proceedings should be commenced." Income tax authorities claimed that Balakrishnan's relatives were found to possess black money during the investigation into allegations of disproportionate income.

"As far as Justice Balakrishnan is concerned, I cannot say anything. But as far as his relatives — two sons-in-law and brother are concerned, we have found there is black money," Director General of Income Tax (Investigation), Kochi, E T Lukose, had said on Saturday. B

alakrishnan's sons-in-law P V Sreenijan and M J Benny, both advocates, and brother K G Bhaskaran, former special government pleader, have been found to be possessing black money, Lukose had said.

Verma said, "He (Balakrishnan) continues to be NHRC chairman. His words hold no credibility. See, it's like this. Corruption is the most egregious form of human rights violation. And a person accused of serious human rights violation heading the NHRC itself is a great travesty of justice."