New Delhi:
The Supreme Court today asked the Centre to brief it on the action taken on the allegations against former Chief Justice of India (CJI) K G Balakrishnan in connection with a disproportionate assets case.
"We want to know what was done on the representation (before the government against ex-CJI) and what government intends to do," a bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) SH Kapadia said, while giving the Centre a month's time to file its response.
The court's directive came on the back of a plea filed by an NGO, Common Cause, which in its petition alleged that the Centre was not doing anything in regard to the assets case despite their representations to the government 10 months back. The former CJI is alleged to have amassed properties worth Rs 40 crore in his relatives' names between 2004 to 2009.
The NGO is also seeking the removal of the former CJI from the post of the chief of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The top court also sought a status report on this matter.
Attorney General GE Vahanvati assured the court that he would get back to it after getting details in the assets case.
Representing the NGO, senior lawyer Prashant Bhushan told the court that the kin of Justice Balakrishnan had acquired assets disproportionate to their known sources of income. He further argued that as per the Constitution, the chief of the NHRC could be removed by a probe by the Supreme Court into the misbehaviour of Mr Balakrishnan. But for that, the Centre has to refer the issue to the top court.
Refusing to intervene in the matter, the CJI said, "It is for the President to decide. We can't direct the government".
The Supreme Court has posted the matter for further hearing on March 12.