Now CBDT to probe former CJI Balakrishnan's assets case

Mumbai, Jun 23: The woes does not seem to subside for tainted former chief justice of India, K.G. Balakrishnan. After being accused of financial misconduct and abusing his office of power, the Home Ministry has now instructed the revenue department of the Finance Ministry to look in to the various allegations against him. Balakrishnan now heads the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

A home ministry official has been quoted as saying, “Based on allegations raised against him in a petition, we have asked them to probe it through the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT)." The CBDT is the investigative wing of the revenue department.

The allegations came into light against Balakrishnan when a lawyer filed a petition with the home ministry highlighting the disproportionate assets he earned that was not matching with his income. His family members were also accused of the same. The petition also gave a list of the former CJI's income and properties with the details of some recently acquired properties. The home ministry refused to reveal the name of the petitioner.

Though in the process of investigation, if the charges against him are found to be true, the government will seek the President's sanction to prosecute him and eventually remove him from the post of NHRC Chief.

An NHRC spokesman commented, “He (Balakrishnan) has made it clear that he does not want to make any comment on allegations against him." There were also earlier reports of Balakrishnan's son-in-law, P.V. Sreenijan also pocketing huge amounts of money utilising the former CJI's name.

OneIndia News