Former Chief Justice of India KG Balakrishnan hit back at Press Council of India chairman Markandey Katju, terming as “completely baseless” his allegations that he and two other ex-CJIs made improper compromises in retaining a Tamil Nadu judge under corruption cloud during UPA rule.

Wondering why Katju raised the issue after so many years, Balakrishnan said the concerned judge, who has passed away, was given extension strictly following the laid down procedure and that it was not done under any pressure from any quarters.

He said, the allegation is completely baseless and factually in correct. Two other CJIs, Justices R C Lahoti and Y K Sabharwal, did not respond to Katju's allegations.

Meanwhile, Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has refused to comment on the claim by former Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju that three ex-Chief Justices of India made improper compromises during UPA rule in retaining a tainted judge in Tamil Nadu.

When contacted for a reaction, Dr Singh said he has nothing to say as former Law Minister HR Bhardwaj has already clarified the issue.

Dr Manmohan Singh said, so far as political threats to a coalition government is concerned there were always pressure from allies on appointment of judges which he never yielded.

Close aides of the former Prime Minister
asserted that nobody approached Dr Singh at airport at any time during departure or arrival from a foreign visit as stated by Justice Katju.