Call it a victory of the Right to Information movement. After slapping a stern no on all efforts to make him list his assets, Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, former Chief Justice of India and chairman of National Human Rights Commission, on Tuesday agreed to reveal them all before an income-tax appellate authority.
In response to an RTI application, Justice Balakrishnan submitted a statement before the income-tax appellate authority on Tuesday morning stating he has no objection to disclosing total income or the income-tax paid.
The former Chief Justice also detailed the assets owned by him, a real about-turn from his earlier stance objecting disclosure.
Justice Balakrishnan himself confirmed that he is bowing to the pressure from RTI activists and media.
“It seems that the petitioner is on fishing enquiry to find out my asset. Moreover, it was reported in the media that I am opposed to disclosure of the content of IT returns as I want to suppress the details of my accumulated wealth and assets,” he explained in the statement.
Full details of Justice Balakrishnan’s assets are expected to be revealed by the income-tax officials within two days.