Reported by Thehindu.com on July 20, 2012
The Hindu : Today's Paper / NATIONAL : CIC hears appeal on Balakrishnan

On an appeal for releasing the contents of the income tax returns of former Chief Justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan, the Central Information Commission (CIC) on Monday heard, through video-conferencing, the views of the Income Tax Department and the appellant, T. Balachandran.

Central Information Commissioner Rajiv Mathur, who heard the arguments, sought more information from the joint commission of income tax, Kochi, K.G. Ramachandran, and deputy commissioner Appu Joseph, both of whom had appeared on behalf of the department.

Dr. Balachandran, in the wake of media reports suggesting accumulation of inappropriate assets by the relatives of Mr. Balakrishnan while he was the Chief Justice of India, had sought from the Income Tax Department the contents of the IT returns filed by Mr. Balakrishnan and his relatives. However, his RTI application was rejected by the department as Mr. Balakrishnan had opposed it. Mr. Balakrishnan had contended that releasing the contents would compromise his privacy.