Ex-CJI says I-T return contents cannot be disclosed

NHRC Chairperson Justice KG Balakrishnan has told income tax authorities that details of his I-T returns cannot be disclosed but he had no objection in revealing his total income or taxable income and the amount paid as income tax during 2005-10.

Balakrishan, who has come under attack for alleged amassing of wealth by his family members, stated this in his counter affidavit filed before the Additional Commissioner of Income Tax, Kochi, in response to an RTI appeal which sought details of I-T returns filed by him and his family members.

"The petitioner/appellant is not entitled to get the details of the Income Tax returns as it is a personal document and disclosure of which is prohibited uner RTI Act," the former CJI said.

"I reiterate my stand made clear in my reply on February 5 given to the petition filed by the appellant. That may be read as part of the counter statement. I have no objection in disclosing my total income or taxable income or the amount paid as income tax during the 2005 to 2010," he said.

Income Tax authorities had in February last declined to reveal details of tax returns filed by Balakrishnan and his family members on the RTI application by Dr T Balachandran, executive member of Kerala RTI Federation, after the NHRC chairperson objected to the disclosures.