INDIA
Government today placed the file relating to the appointment of PJ Thomas as the chief vigilance commissioner in the Supreme Court, which questioned as to how he would function in the post in view of a pending criminal case against him.
After putting the prime minister’s office in an embarrassing position over the 2G spectrum scam, the Supreme Court has delivered another blow to the Union government on the issue of corruption by questioning the appointment of PJ Thomas as the head of watchdog agency Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). Thomas is facing charges in the palm oil scam case in Kerala. He was also the secretary to the department of telecommunications (DoT) when the spectrum allocation scam took place.
Hearing a petition challenging the appointment to the high-profile position that also supervises the CBI and other investigating agencies, the court asked attorney general (AG) Goolam E Vahanvati whether impeccable integrity wasn’t the criteria for making the choice. The AG said if that is the sole criteria, then certain senior posts, including in the judiciary, would become suspect.
He also defended Thomas, saying he had implemented a scheme following a cabinet decision. There is a stay in the court proceedings.
Moreover, no sanction has been granted by the state government to prosecute its former agriculture secretary. The petition was filed by the Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL).
It’s lawyer Prashant Bhushan said the Union government ignored the dissent of the leader of the opposition Sushma Swaraj while appointing Thomas. He said, being the CVC now, he faces a conflict of interest situation.
Anguished at the manner of appointment of Thomas, a bench of chief justice SH Kapadia and justices KS Radhakrishnan and Swantanter Kumar asked the government to file within two weeks the material concerning Thomas’s appointment.
But the judges wondered how a CVC could function when his own name figures in the charge sheet. “Tell us how he will functions as CVC with such allegations against him. In every matter he will face embarrassment,” the court said.
The court pointed out that under the service jurisprudence, a person cannot even be considered for promotions when a chargesheet is pending against him. The court also inquired from the AG whether impeccable integrity could be treated as an eligibility criterion for appointment for the post of CVC. And whether this criterion of the outstanding civil servant has been followed or not in the present case.
“This is the touchstone on which the entire matter depends,” the court added.
The CJI said the court is concerned that if a person is an accused in a criminal case how will he function as CVC.
The mode of selection of the CVC was fixed by the Supreme Court. One of the criteria is impeccable integrity. The appointment must be after proper consultation between the prime minister, home minister and the leader of the opposition. Bhushan said not only did the government appoint Thomas in defiance of the consultation principle but also ignored the fact he was the secretary of DoT when the 2G scam took place.
For any investigation in the scam, CBI and other investigating agencies would have to seek his nod, he added.
Cultural Shock? Desi singing loudly inside bus in Germany divides opinion, watch viral video
Meet man who worked as waiter, earned Rs 3,000 per month, cracked UPSC exam with AIR...
Noida Master Plan-2041: NCR to get new city, UP government approves 'New Noida', to be readied in…
Understanding Fault Lines: Deep dive into India-Canada diplomatic standoff
Aditya Birla Group's big movement, set to invest Rs 75 crore in THIS Virat Kohli backed brand
Air Pollution: Delhi-NCR air quality turns 'severe', AQI reaches...
70 Bomb Threats In 6 Days: What is the reason behind this surge in hoax warnings?
'I'm sorry...': Throwback to when Ratan Tata fact-checked journalist for a quote attributed to him
Salman Khan gets emotional at Bigg Boss 18 amid death threats: ‘What all I am going through…’
'Grave mistake': Netanyahu warns Iran, Hezbollah after 'assassination' attempt
Mukesh Ambani's next BIG step, Jio Cinema likely to shut down due to...
Meet man, who used to be mechanic, cleared UPSC exam on first attempt, secured AIR 32 to become....
RRB NTPC 2024: Registration window ends today, check easy steps to apply at rrbapply.gov.in
Watch: Little girl lifts huge snake in viral video, parents face backlash for dangerous stunt
Happy Karwa Chauth 2024: WhatsApp wishes, messages and quotes for your loved ones
Zerodha's Nikhil Kamath, known for favouring renting, buys his 1st house; here's why
Meet Ratan Tata’s favourite chef, who began his career in a garage, now he is...
Rajinikanth to compensate producer's loss for Vettaiyan failure? Here's what we know
Meet woman behind the voice of Apple's iPhone 'Siri', never paid for it due to...
Who is IPS Anurag Gupta, acting Jharkhand DGP removed by EC ahead of Assembly polls?
Meet Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar, the newly appointed chairperson of NCW
Watch: Rishabh Pant's monstrous 107m six against Tim Southee leaves New Zealand players stunned
Mukesh Ambani's driver earns Rs 2400000, he is fully trained for...
Why do air hostesses wear high heels?
Mukesh Ambani brings iconic London brand to Indian market, opens its first outlet in...
Delhi pollution: Tips to protect your lungs as AQI levels rise
Donald Trump receives support from THESE WWE legends, trio mock Kamala Harris, watch viral video
'Kaunsa chahiye, bol?': Rohit Sharma's witty response to fan's query on changing IPL team goes viral
Karwa Chauth 2024: Trending mehendi designs idea to elevate your festive look
Jharkhand elections 2024: Hemant Soren's JMM, Congress to contest 70 of 81 seats
Meet man who runs India's largest bank worth Rs 1283000 crore, not from IIT, IIM, his salary is...
IND vs NZ: Rishabh Pant goes past MS Dhoni, becomes fastest Indian wicketkeeper to....
Karva Chauth festival set to generate Rs 7000 crore more revenue than last year, it will be...
Karwa Chauth 2024: 5 fasting tips for women with diabetes
Elon Musk vs Jeff Bezos: Which billionaire will lead the space race?
This actor who lived in chawl for 33 years, would have owned half of Andheri if...
Lawrence Bishnoi gang member arrested for ‘plotting to kill’ Salman Khan
‘We faced a…’: Ratan Tata on his parents' divorce, grandmother's support and breakup
Baba Siddique killed ‘because of’ Salman Khan? Salim Khan breaks his silence
Drone from Lebanon targets Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu's home days after Hamas chief's killing