Petition against former CJI returns for ''curing defect''

Thrissur (Ker), Jan 18 (PTI): A petition seeking aninvestigation against former CJI K G Balakrishnan, his brotherand son-in-law, alleging amassing of wealth disproportionateto known sources of income was returned today by a specialcourt here with a direction to ''cure defects.''

Inquiry Commissioner and Special Judge (Vigilance) here, VJayaram observed that the first respondent Balakrishnan wouldnot come under the jurisdiction of the court and directed thepetitioner to submit a fresh petition in two weeks, removingthe name of the former CJI.

The judge gave the direction while returning the petitionfiled by George Battukulam, State President of Malayalavedi,(Malayalam Forum) against Balakrishnan, his brother K GBhaskaran and son-in-law P V Sreenijan.

Battukulam had in his complaint on January 5, sought aninvestigation into alleged amassing of wealth disproportionateto their known sources of income by the respondents, "with theinterference of Balakrishnan in his capacity as CJI".

The judge said the petitioner has not produced anydocuments, except newspaper clippings, as evidence to try andsubstantiate the allegation against the respondents

Vattukulam submitted a fresh petition today itself, withthe respondents being Bhaskaran, Sreenijan and M B Benny.

Coming under the cloud of the allegations, Sreenijan hadresigned from the Youth Congress membership, while Bhaskaranhad relinquished the post of government pleader in the HighCourt. A Vigilance probe is on against Sreenijan.