Thomas yet to resign; SC order to be challenged?

New Delhi, Mar 4: The Supreme Court of India has already quashed the appointment of PJ Thomas as the chief of Central Vigilance Commission. Sources reported that Thomas has resigned from his post. But in a surprising statement by Thomas' counsel, Wills Mathews claimed that Thomas has not resigned yet. The counsel also informed that after a minute scanning in the judgment, they may soon file a review petition against the court's order.

The court on Mar 3 claimed that the high-powered committee's recommendation on appointment of Thomas "does not exist in law". It also noted that the involvement of the Palmollein scam was not mentioned in Thomas' bio-data. It also recommended that the CVC necessarily does not need to be only civil servants.

"I just talked to him (Thomas). He was prepared to resign long back but at that time there was a legal opinion that he should not resign. So he continued," stated the counsel Mathews while speaking to media.

Rejecting all reports of Thomas' resignation, Mathew claimed, "We are studying the judgment. He will decide only after reading the judgment whether to resign or not."

Thomas' appointment was carried out by a high-powered committee that included the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Home Minister, P Chidambaram and Opposition leader Sushma Swaraj. Sources reported that Thomas' appointment was carried out despite Swaraj's cautions over Thomas' tainted role.

Thomas was in the center of controversy over his alleged involvement in the Palmolein scam that rocked Kerala during his tenure as State Secretary in the State Ministry of Food and Civil Supplies during early 90s.

Trouble for Congress led UPA government has increased after the Supreme Court's order. The government has already been boiled by the Opposition over the several corruption allegations like 2G spectrum scam, CWG 2010 and so many.

However, after the judgment by the Supreme Court, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh stated, "I respect the Supreme Court verdict."

Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson claimed, "We will discuss the Supreme Court order on the CVC appointment. It's not a blow to the prime minister, we will judge the decision."

OneIndia News