Govt should persuade KGB to step down as NHRC chief: Former CJI

In an interview to Karan Thapar in his Devil's Advocate programme, Verma said the continuance of the former CJI as NHRC chairperson affects its image internationally.
"He (Balakrishnan) should have demitted long back. If he does not do it voluntarily, the government should persuade him to do that," he said in response to a question on whether the NHRC chief should demit his office in wake of corruption allegations against him.
The Home Ministry has a few days back asked the Revenue Department to conduct a probe into the allegations of disproportionate assets against Balakrishnan.

The missive came after it received a petition alleging that Balakrishnan had acquired assets disproportionate to his known sources of income and some of these properties were purchased in the name of his close relatives.

Verma, who had also headed the NHRC earlier, said, "NHRC actually faced the flak recently when there was a threat to downgrade its stature."

He also made a strong plea for constituting a National Judicial Commission (NJC) replacing the collegium system for appointing judges.

"That (NJC) would act as a check no doubt and I think the time has come when more checks and balances are required," he said.