SC asks Centre to furnish I-T details of former CJI's kin

The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Centre to furnish details of the Income Tax assessment of the kith and kin of former chief justice of India Justice K G Balakrishnan.

The Union government had earlier given clean chit to Justice Balakrishnan, who retired as NHRC chairperson in May last, saying I-T probe into alleged “benami” transactions in the name of his kin had yielded nothing.

Taking up a PIL filed by NGO Common Cause for a CBI probe into charges of amassing of wealth by his relatives, a bench of Justices Dipak Misra and Shiva Kirti Singh asked Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi to submit a chart indicating the details of the I-T assessment and related proceedings.

Drawing the line

Rohatgi, on his part, submitted that the brothers, sisters and other relatives of the former CJI were not party to the proceedings here and they were subjected to Income Tax.

Bhushan had claimed over 21 properties were acquired in the name of the relatives of Justice Balakrishnan. The NGO sought a CBI probe into alleged amassing of wealth by kith and kin of Balakrishnan during his tenure as Chief Justice of India from January 2007 to May 2010.

The NGO’s plea for removal of Justice Balakrishnan as NHRC had become infructuous due to completion of his tenure. The court put the matter for further hearing on July 12.