“I wrote to authorities not to disclose my I-T returns because it has my PAN number and bank account number. These details may be misused and that is the reason I wanted the authorities not to disclose my I-T returns. Nobody would like to reveal personal details,” he told reporters.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chairman said disclosing such information would not serve any purpose and would rather be an invasion of privacy.
The authorities had declined to reveal the information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act to T Balachandran, a Kochi resident, on the I-T returns filed by Justice Balakrishnan and seven of his family members following the objection raised by him. He maintained that he had already disclosed his assets during his tenure as CJI.
Justice Balakrishnan’s family members have been under the I-T radar following allegations that they have amassed huge wealth during Balakrishnan’s tenure as CJI.
Balachandran, the RTI applicant, had sought information and documents, certified copies of I-T returns submitted by Balakrishnan for 2005-06 to 2009-10, details of investigation and inquiry of department against him and his son, B Pradeep, two daughters — Sony and Rani, sons-in-law J Benny and V Sreenijin and brother G Bhaskaran.