SC strikes down CVC PJ Thomas' appointment
The apex court said, "touchstone for the appointment of the CVC is the institutional integrity as well as the personal integrity of the candidate."
================================================
CNN-IBN
Updated Mar 03, 2011 at 11:55am IST
Updated Mar 03, 2011 at 11:55am IST
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday struck down Central Vigilance Commissioner PJ Thomas' appointment dealing a major blow to the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance Government.
A three-judge bench headed by the Chief Justice of India SH Kapadia delivered its verdict on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that sought Thomas' removal from the position of CVC.
Click to play videoA three-judge bench headed by the Chief Justice of India SH Kapadia delivered its verdict on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that sought Thomas' removal from the position of CVC.
The apex court observed that Thomas is a person who is tainted as he was an accused in the palmoline export scam in Kerala. The Supreme Court said that the high-powered committee's recommendation on appointment of Thomas "does not exist in law". The committee, for whatsoever reason, failed to consider relevant material recommending action against Thomas, the court observed.
The court also rejected the Central Government's contention that vigilance clearance given by the CVC in 2008 was the basis for empanelment of Thomas as a candidate for the post of CVC.The apex court said, "touchstone for the appointment of the CVC is the institutional integrity as well as the personal integrity of the candidate."
Law Minister Veerappa Moily said that Thomas had resigned.
Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj, who had vehemently opposed Thomas's appointment as the CVC, tweeted soon after the Supreme Court order, "dignity of CVC office restored."
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said that verdict puts a question mark over the credibility of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
"It's a huge blow to the credibility of the Prime Minister. He is personally culpable because he was party to the wrong decision," said senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha.
"This is the biggest blow to UPA, to Manmohan Singh, to Sonia Gandhi and the Congress government," said another BJP leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy.
The PIL had claimed that Thomas was not a person of impeccable integrity.
However, Thomas had defended himself even though he was chargesheeted in the palmoline export scam while serving as Kerala's secretary in the state's Ministry of Food and Civil Supplies.
================================================
FOXES under the mask of Honesty and Integrity is exposed. Spokes persons, who pops up on TV Channels as Mushroom Tops with their sugar coated lies to fool country are blacked face today. Corrupts has struck the base of country like TERMITES and gulped the growth of 1000's of families for generations, must be pesticide with heavy hand of Laws. Long Live Indian Judiciary - Death to Corrupts.
ReplyDelete