Journalism of Courage
The Supreme Court today decided to examine the file on appointment of new Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) P J Thomas,whose name figured in a chargesheet in a criminal case and is allegedly involved in the cover-up of 2G spectrum scam,saying it wanted to know if eligibility criteria had been followed.
“We would like to see the file (first),” said a bench of Chief Justice S H Kapadia on a petition questioning the new Central Vigilance Commissioner’s integrity and challenging his appointment.
“We want to know whether the eligibility criteria of the outstanding civil servant has been followed or not. This is the touchstone on which the entire matter depends,” said the bench also comprising Justices K S Radhakrishnan and Swatanter Kumar.
Adjourning the matter for two weeks,the bench said it would like to see if the consultation process has been followed.
Refuting the allegations in a petition filed by civil societies — Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL) and Common Cause — questioning Thomas’s appointment as CVC,Attorney General Goolam E. Vahanvati said the statements made in the petition were not correct.
He said Thomas had no role in the Palmoleine export case.
The petition by the two civil societies had contended that Thomas was considered for the crucial post despite objection from the Leader of the Opposition.
The petitioners had contended that Thomas could not be considered as a person of “impeccable integrity” as he was chargesheeted in the Palmoleine export scam when he was Kerala’s Secretary in the state Ministry of Food and Civil Supplies and had secured bail from the local court.
The PIL said he also could not be appointed as CVC on account of “conflict of interest” as till recently he was serving as the Secretary in Telecom Ministry and there was
allegation that he was involved in the cover-up of the 2G spectrum scam,which,according to the petitioners,has caused a loss of Rs 70,000 to the state exchequer.
