Ex-CJI Balakrishnan refutes allegations of Soumitra Sen

Balakrishnan, who had written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh after an in-house committee of judges held Sen guilty of misconduct, said the Supreme Court had "received a report from the then Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court" about misappropriation of funds as a receiver in a case.

A proper decision was taken by the apex court as per the procedures, he said about the in-house inquiry and his reference in this regard to the Prime Minister.

Balakrishnan, who now is the NHRC Chairman, said Sen had "continued to have with him that amount (Rs 33 lakh) received as a receiver" even after appointment as High Court judge.

Balakrishnan, whose statement came through NHRC spokesman, refused to delve further on the issue, pointing out that the impeachment matter was before the Lok Sabha.

Sen, against whom the Rajya Sabha has passed the impeachment motion, had alleged that then CJI wrongly recommended the initiation of the motion in the Parliament by writing a letter to the Prime Minister on August 4, 2008.

"In 1999, there was a resolution adopted in this regard (by the Supreme Court) wherein, it was decided that in such matters an in-house committee can be appointed by the Supreme Court to look into such allegations," Balakrishnan said responded while justifying the action of the apex court.

At the same time, he said, "I am not to pronounce guilty or not guilty because the findings of an in-house committee reports have already been forwarded to the Prime Minister as per the procedures."