Former CJI K.G. Balakrishnan spoke to Outlook to defend himself against charges that his relatives have acquired assets disproportionate to their known sources of income. Excerpts:
A complaint demanding a CBI probe and a PIL demanding a judicial inquiry is pending against you and your relatives. Is there a campaign against you?
Yes. This is a campaign to malign my image.
The Supreme Court has asked for a status report on the investigations following the complaint.
I do not want to say anything more as the matter is subjudice.
Why did you refuse to share your income-tax returns after an RTI was filed in this regard?
Asset declaration was an information required to be made public. I declared my assets. The language I used in the reply is: “I would not like to share my personal details like PAN details etc.” These are my personal details. I don’t want to share them. I have nothing to hide.
Your son-in-law P.V. Srinijan also refused to disclose his income-tax returns. Shouldn’t he have done that?
He is a different individual. These questions should be asked to him. I have no idea about the reasons behind his refusal.
The PIL seeking a judicial probe levelled many allegations.
It is not appropriate to talk about these issues now. The matter is before the court.
