Balakrishnan rejects allegations in Justice Reghupathi episode

"I regret to say that the allegations are absolutely incorrect," he said referring to news reports that he had suppressed a letter purportedly written by Justice S Reghupathi to him when he was Chief Justice of India.

The news reports have alleged that he had suppressed that letter which had purportedly alleged that the then Telecom Minister A Raja had tried to influence Justice Reghupathi which cast aspersion on him (CJI) that he had committed dereliction of duty.

Justice Balakrishnan, who is now NHRC chairperson, at a hurriedly called press conference said that "I had not received any such letter or communication from Justice Reghupathi while I was in office.

"When this incident was reported in the media, I sought for a report from the then Chief Justice of Madras High Court Justice Gokhale and he sent me a report wherein nothing was mentioned about any Union Minister having made a telephonic talk with Justice Reghupathi to influence him," he said.

Therefore, the former CJI said, there was no occasion for him to talk to the Prime Minister or to take any further action.