CJI skips line in speech, gets all talking

New Delhi: Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan on Saturday gave a speech at a seminar in New Delhi on investigating corruption but it was what he didn’t he say that’s raising eyebrows.

Balakrishnan, while giving speech at a national seminar on 'Fighting Crimes related to Corruption', skipped a line about investigating agencies not getting permission to go after public servants accused of corruption.

"Even in instances where the investigating agencies have gathered substantial material to proceed against a person, it is felt that the necessary sanction is not given on account of extraneous considerations," said a copy of his speech released to the media.

He skipped this portion on investigating agencies needing permission to prosecute public servants and moved ahead with his speech.

Journalists attending the seminar, which was organised by the Central Bureau of Investigation, noticed that Balakrishnan paused and skipped the line while reading from the prepared speech. He left soon after giving the speech and journalists couldn’t question him.

The Chief Justice said delay in giving sanction to investigating agencies and handling large number of witnesses were reasons that that convictions in corruption cases were delayed.

"If a public official amasses wealth at the cost of public, then the state is justified in seizing such assets," said Balakrishnan.

"One prominent suggestion is the inclusion of a statutory remedy that will enable confiscation of properties belonging to persons who are convicted of offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act."

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