The supreme court on Monday asked the Centre to brief it on whether it has conducted any inquiry on allegation against ex-Chief Justice of India and NHRC chief K G Balakrishnan of amassing assets disproportionate to his income.

A bench headed by Chief Justice S H Kapadia directed the government to respond within a month on action taken by it or intended to be taken on the allegation that the former CJI amassed properties worth Rs 40 crore in his relatives' names between 2004 to 2009.

"We want to know what was done on the representation (before the government against ex-CJI) and what government intends to do," the bench said when it was pointed out that representation to the government was made ten months back but no action had been taken on it so far.

The bench asked Attorney General G E Vahanvati to apprise it on the issue within a month.

Vahanvati assured the court that he will go through the petition and will write to all government authorities concerned.

The court was hearing a PIL filed by NGO Common Cause seeking directions to the government to conduct probe against the former CJI for allegedly amassing disproportionate assets.

Justice Balakrishnan was elevated as a supreme court judge on June 2000 and was appointed Chief Justice of India on January 14, 2007. He retired on May 12, 2010 after which he was appointed NHRC Chairman.