CNN-IBN exclusive: K G Balakrishnan on judiciary

INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY: Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan says judges can't be forced or manipulated.

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New Delhi: Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan fears that judges will face “frivolous complaints” if they are forced to reveal details about their personal wealth.

Balakrishnan told CNN-IBN’s Bhupendra Chaubey that judges of the higher judiciary already give details of their assets to court registrars. “We are disclosing assets--all the judges of the Supreme Court have done that. But we are not giving (the details) to the public. All official acts are with the registrar,” he said.

Balakrishnan was asked to comment on the Union Government’s proposal to introduce a law that will make judges accountable and ensure they make their assets public. His answer was: “let judges be protected from frivolous complaints and litigation.”

The Chief Justice supported Madras High Court judge R Reghupathi’s decision to reveal that a Union Minister had allegedly asked him to grant bail to a medical student and his father in a mark sheet manipulation case.

“The judge has done the correct thing. If he feels someone is trying to influence him or he refuses himself from the case,” said Balakrishnan. “Nobody should interfere with the judicial system.”

Balakrishnan said the corruption allegations made against certain judges of the Punjab and High Court is not a reflection on the Indian judiciary.

“The Indian judiciary is a big institution--one or two small instances don’t affect the affect the integrity or partiality of the judicial system.”