Author: PTI
Publication: The Times of India
Date: February 26, 2011
URL: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-02-26/india/28636794_1_sreenijan-amassment-vigilance-probe
In further embarrassment to former Chief Justice
of India KG Balakrishnan, Income Tax authorities on Saturday said they have
unearthed black money in possession of three of his relatives during their
investigation into allegations of amassment of wealth by them.
"As far as Justice Balakrishnan is concerned,
I cannot say anything. But as far as his relatives-- two sons-in-law and brother
are concerned, we have found there is black money", director general
of Income Tax (Investigation), Kochi, E T Lukose, told reporters.
Justice Balakrishnan's sons-in-law PV Sreenijan
and MJ Benny, both advocates, and brother KG Bhaskaran, former special government
pleader, have been found to be possessing black money, he said.
"We are investigating how they have got
the black money. We will again question the relatives", he said.
The official refused to state the quantum
of black money with the three relatives of Justice Balakrishnan who is the
chairman of National Human Rights Commission.
Lukose refused to say whether Justice Balakrishnan
will be questioned or not. "I cannot say anything now", he said.
The I-T investigation covered the last five
years, he said adding the probe was in the final stages and likely to be completed
by next month.
"The central government has so far not
asked us -- the IT investigation wing -- for any report," he said.
The investigation wing had at first conducted
a preliminary inquiry into the allegations of amassment of wealth against
the relatives of Justice Balakrishnan.
After the allegations came to the fore, Bhaskaran
had resigned as special government pleader of Kerala high court citing health
reasons.
Sreenijan, who had unsuccessfully contested
the assembly polls as a Congress candidate, had quit Youth Congress after
facing the charges. He is also facing a vigilance probe.
Media reports had alleged that Bhaskaran,
Sreenijan and Benny had allegedly amassed wealth disproportionate to known
sources of their income when Balakrishanan was the Chief Justice of India,
drawing demands from various quarters, including advocates associations, for
his resignation as NHRC chief.
