Bangalore: Moily says Charge Against Former CJI Kin Needs Verification 

Bangalore, Dec 28 (IANS) Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily Tuesday said the charge that former chief justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan's son-in-law P.V. Srinijin acquired large assets in a short period needs verification.

Referring to the demand for probe against Srinijin made by retired Supreme Court judge V.R. Krishna Iyer, Moily told reporters here that he could not comment on such issues without knowing facts.

"Issues like whether the former CJI was involved, whether he has misused his office, have to be verified. Without knowing (it), I do not want to comment," he said.

A TV channel in Kerala Sunday aired a report claiming that Srinijin, a Congress leader and a lawyer by profession, had acquired huge wealth in the past three-four years.

"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 (former communications minister) Raja issue regarding (senior Supreme Court judge) Justice (H.L.) Gokhale, I myself feel ashamed that I was a judge," Iyer told reporters in Kochi Monday. Iyer retired from the Supreme Court in 1980.

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

Balakrishnan was the chief justice of India between January 2007 and May 2010. On retirement, he was appointed chairman of the National Human Rights Commission.