SC ASKS GOVT TO GET CRACKING AGAINST EX-CJI

The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Centre to provide details of inquiry, if any within one month on the series of complaints against former Chief Justice of India KG Balakrishnan on alleged illegal amassment of wealth by him. Acting on the petition filed by noted lawyer Prashant Bhushan and NGO Common Cause, the bench headed by Chief Justice SK Kapadia also directed Attorney General to appraise the status of ongoing probes by various agencies including the State Governments on the disproportionate assets acquired by the relatives of Balakrishnan during 2004-2009. "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 so far. Attorney General GE Vahanvati assured the court that he would go through the petition and write to all the Government authorities concerned. The petition detailed around 30 high value property purchases in Kerala and Tamil Nadu by Balakrishnan's daughters KB Sony and KB Rani and their husbands PV Sreenijin and MJ Benny. Former Chief Justice's brother KG Bhaskaran is also reported to have amassed huge wealth 2004 onward. The petitioners has sought issuance of direction to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for making a reference to the apex court under the Human Rights Act to look into the allegations of "misbehaviour" against Justice Balakrishnan, currently the Chairman of National Human Rights Commission. "Despite the fact that there is overwhelming evidence indicating that the Respondent No 3 (Balakrishnan) has been guilty of several acts of grave misbehaviour, the government has not taken any step for his removal from the NHRC," Prashant Bhushan, said, seeking review of some "doubtful" corporate judgments delivered by Balakrishnan The petition also challenged the "integrity" of Balakrishnan and sought detailed probe in his alleged attempt to save former Telecom Minister A.Raja, accused of calling a Chennai High Court judge and asking him to grant bail to an accused. The apex court had already issued notice to Tamil Nadu government on the property purchases by Balakrishnan's relatives and flat allotment to his personal assistant in Chennai in another petition filed by advocate Manohar Lal Sharma. Few months ago, the head of the Income Tax investigation unit in Kerala came on record during that they found unaccounted money details of Balakrishnan's daughters and their husbands. But no action has been taken on the IT findings. – www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com