SC to hear plea against CVC PJ Thomas's appointment

Amidst speculation about CVC PJ Thomas putting in his papers, the Supreme Court will today take up a petition challenging his appointment as the anti-corruption watchdog.

Amidst speculation about CVC PJ Thomas putting in his papers, the Supreme Court will on Monday take up a petition challenging his appointment as the anti-corruption watchdog. The government will contest a PIL filed by People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) and former Election Commissioner JM Lyngdoh challenging the appointment.

HT Image

The hearing before Chief Justice S H Kapadia's bench would, however, be crucial because it is going to be after the court perusing government file on Thomas's appointment.

Thomas is charge sheeted in the palmoline oil import scam, he was Kerala's Food and Civil Supplies secretary at the time. He was also the former Telecom secretary during the 2G spectrum scam.

The Centre has been facing flak from the Opposition since the appointment of Thomas as CVC. Leader of Opposition, BJP Leader Sushma Swaraj had objected to Thomas' appointment.

The Supreme Court too had expressed reservations over how a tainted officer could head one of the nation's highest offices.

On Sunday, former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor, who himself resigned under a cloud, backed Chief Vigilance Commissioner P J Thomas, asking the media to stop its "vilification campaign" over his appointment to the constitutional post.

Tharoor's comments came days after the IAS officers' association in Kerala supported Thomas in the wake of the controversy surrounding the appointment of the former Union Telecom secretary.

"What is happening with Thomas over his appointment is a media trial without a jury, without justice and without defence. It is a question of one's integrity."

"I am appealing to you (media) to stop the vilification against Thomas," Tharoor said when asked at a press conference about the row over the appointment of Thomas to the post.