Bhaskaran has cited health reasons in the resignation letter handed over to Advocate-General C P Sudhakar Prasad through a special messenger on Friday. He had claimed earlier that he was undergoing treatment for respiratory problems at AIIMS, New Delhi. However, it was reported that Prasad himself had asked him to quit or go on leave in the wake of the allegations of wealth amassment against him.
The bar associations of Kozhikode and Thrissur have demanded the resignation of K G Balakrishnan as chairman of NHRC. In independent resolutions passed by these associations on Friday, they demanded a detailed inquiry into the allegations of wealth amassment and during which period he should step down as NHRC chief.
As reported, Bhaskaran is alleged to have purchased about 60 acres in Dindigul in Tamil Nadu in the name of his wife and four children. K G Praveen, a close relative of Justice Balakrishnan, had built a farm house there.
Bhaskaran and his wife Ratnamma, a retired magistrate, were reportedly also building a palatial house at Puthan Kurus in Ernakulam district and had spent over Rs 50 lakh on it.
Allegations of wealth amassment have also surfaced against Balakrishnan’s two sons-in-law P V Srinijan and M J Benny.
The Home Department has sought the opinion of the Vigilance director on instituting an inquiry into the allegations of wealth amassment by P V Srinijan since he doesn’t hold an official position. It was Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan who asked Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan to institute an inquiry into a complaint he had received against Srinijan’s alleged wealth amassment.