SC favors I-T probe into former CJI’s alleged disproportionate asset case

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday gave a green signal to an I-T probe against former Chief Justice of India KG Balakrishnan's family members as they have been indicted of amassing properties that refute their registered sources of income.

The bench whitch looked into the aforementioned case include Justices Dipak Mishra and Prafulla C Pant. The bench asked the Income Tax department to conduct a thorough inquiry into their(the Chief Justice's family) sources of income and seek assistance from the attorney general in order to cater to the PIL against the perpetrators that is the former CJI( Chief Justice of India), his daughter, son-in-law and brother for amassing assets disproportionate to the registered income during his tenure in the office.

"Judges Protection Act may apply to some aspects but the I-T authorities can proceed against them. It is the duty of the I-T department to find out the sources of income. It has not been done," the bench said, as quoted in a leading daily.

The PIL has been filed by an NGO Common Cause. the PIL alleges that a lump sum amount of money was amassed by the family members of the former CJI during his tenure in the apex court. The petition was filed in 2013.
"This amassing of wealth beyond their known sources by the kin of Justice Balakrishnan during his tenure as judge/ Chief Justice of the Supreme Court clearly indicates that this wealth was given to these people as illegal gratification to him," alleged advocate Prashant Bhushan before the bench. He also added that 21 properties were bought by the family members of Justice Balakrishnan through tainted means.

Bhushan also referred to media reports quoting director general of I–T (investigation) who said three of Justice Balakrishnan's kin were found in possession of "black money", as stated in a Times of India report.

The case will be heard on November 17.