‘Probe allegations against ex-chief justice Balakrishnan’

KOCHI - Retired Supreme Court justice V.R. Krishna Iyer Monday demanded a probe into the various allegations of corruption against former chief justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan, currently the chairman of the National Human Rights Commission.

Speaking to the media at his home near here, Iyer said that he was happy when Balakrishnan became the first Dalit to be appointed chief justice, but the situation had changed now.

Now with all the allegations that have surfaced by way of a news report which appeared the other day about his son-in-law and also the issues of a judge writing to him on the (sacked communications minister) Raja issue regarding (senior Supreme Court judge) Justice (H.L.) Gokhale, I myself feel ashamed that I was a judge, said Iyer.

He was referring to a news report aired on a TV channel Sunday about the huge wealth that his son-in-law P.V. Srinijin, a Congress leader and a lawyer by profession, had allegedly acquired in the past three years.

All the reports that have surfaced about his son-in-law, his daughter and relatives have to be inquired into,” he said, adding that Balakrishnan should be probed by a three-judge panel.

He also demanded the setting up of an appointments and performance commission for judges.

Iyer was the law and irrigation minister in the world’s first elected Communist government in 1957 led by E.M.S. Namboodiripad in Kerala.

He was appointed as a judge of the Kerala High Court in 1968 and the Supreme Court in 1973.

He retired from the apex court in November 1980.