Lawyers begin signature campaign against former CJI

Kochi, Jan 12 (PTI) A group of lawyers of Kerala High Courttoday began a signature campaign seeking former CJI Justice KG Balakrishnan''s resignation as NHRC Chairperson in the wakeof allegations of amassing of wealth by his close familymembers.

The campaign was to mount pressure on the high courtadvocates Association to move a resolution with the same pleaand also seek a probe into the allegations. Until the probeis over, Justice Balakrishnan should step down from theNational Human Rights Commission post, the lawyers said.

The lawyers are likely to submit the notice to theAssociation tomorrow.

A meeting of association yesterday to discuss a resolutionon corruption in higher judiciary failed to take any decisionas two sections of advocates demanded and opposed specificammendments seeking a probe into the allegations.

The general body was called by the Association to discussthe resolution to request a fact-finding inquiry about thecontents of a letter submitted by former Law Minister ShantiBhushan alleging corruption in higher judiciary.

The meeting could not arrive at a consensus and suggestedammendments to the resolution specifically demanding a probeinto allegations against justice Balakrishnan''s two sons-in-law -- P V Sreenijan and Benny -- and younger brother K GBhaskaran who allegedly amassed properties worth crores inErnakulam and Thrissur districts in the last 4-5 years.

But many members had objected to the ammendments againstJustice Balakrishnan.