Thomas.P.J has step down as CVC after Supreme court outlawed his appointment

The Central Vigilance Commissioner P.J. Thomas has resigned after the Supreme Court outlawed his appointment, Law Minister M. Veerappa Moily said.

The Supreme Court set aside the recommendation for appointment of Thomas as CVC as 'illegal' because the high-powered committee did not consider the pending chargesheet in the palmolein import scam. The court has also said that the committee's recommendation on appointment of Thomas "does not exist in law".

The SC said the criterion for the appointment of the CVC is the institutional integrity as well as the personal integrity of the candidate. Because Thomas failed to qualify as CVC, due to the pending case against him, his appointment is held.

The court said any future appointment should not be restricted to civil servants alone but people of impeccable integrity from other fields should also be considered. Further it rejected the contention of Thomas and the government that the appointment of the CVC cannot be brought under judicial review. Supreme Court says legality of the recommendation can be brought under judicial review