Petition against former CJI returns for 'curing defect'

A petition seeking an investigation against former CJI K G Balakrishnan, his brother and son-in-law, alleging amassing of wealth disproportionate to known sources of income was returned today by a special court here with a direction to 'cure defects.'

Inquiry Commissioner and Special Judge (Vigilance) here, V Jayaram observed that the first respondent Balakrishnan would not come under the jurisdiction of the court and directed the petitioner to submit a fresh petition in two weeks, removing the name of the former CJI.

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

Battukulam had in his complaint on January 5, sought an investigation into alleged amassing of wealth disproportionate to their known sources of income by the respondents, "with the interference of Balakrishnan in his capacity as CJI".

The judge said the petitioner has not produced any documents, except newspaper clippings, as evidence to try and substantiate the allegation against the respondents
Vattukulam submitted a fresh petition today itself, with the respondents being Bhaskaran, Sreenijan and M B Benny.

Coming under the cloud of the allegations, Sreenijan had resigned from the Youth Congress membership, while Bhaskaran had relinquished the post of government pleader in the High Court.  A Vigilance probe is on against Sreenijan.

Meanwhile, Thiruvananthapuram Bar Asssociation today asked Centre to order a CBI enquiry into allegations of amassing wealth by his close relatives. In a resolution passed at a meeting today, Association expressed concern over the allegations of corruption against former CJI's kith and kin.

'We request the Centre to order a detailed enquiry by investigating agencies like the CBI, the enforcement and the income tax, the resolution said. The Association also wanted Balakrishnan to demit the office of the Chairman of the Human Rights Commission, until the allegations leveled againt him are found false.

The Kerala High Court Advocates association also sought high level enquiry into the allegations against relatives of former CJI K G Balakrishnan.

In a resolution adopted by its extraordinary general body meeting in Kochi, the  association wanted K G Balakrishnan to demit the office of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairman.

The resolution was passed after voting.Majority of the members supported the resolution, the association sources said