Pradeep Kumar sworn in as new CVC

Former defence secretary Pradeep Kumar was today sworn in as the new central vigilance commissioner replacing PJ Thomas whose appointment was struck down by the Supreme Court in March.

Former defence secretary Pradeep Kumar was on Thursday sworn in as the new central vigilance commissioner (CVC) replacing PJ Thomas whose appointment was struck down by the Supreme Court in March.

HT Image

President Pratibha Patil administered the oath of office to 62-year-old Kumar, a 1972 batch IAS officer of Haryana cadre, at a brief function in Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, cabinet secretary Ajit Seth, chief election commissioner SY Quraishi, minister of state for department of personnel and training V Narayansamy and leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj were among those present at the swearing-in ceremony lasted for about 10 minutes.

The Supreme Court had on March 3 quashed the appointment of Thomas citing a pending charge sheet in a corruption case against him in Kerala. Since then, the post has been lying vacant.

Kumar was chosen for the CVC's post unanimously by a panel comprising the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, home minister P Chidambaram and Swaraj about a fortnight ago.