New Delhi, Dec. 6: After going through the files relating to the appointment of chief vigilance commissioner, Mr P.J. Thomas, the Supreme Court on Monday decided to examine the “validity” of the Centre’s order on his selection despite his name figuring in the chargesheet in Kerala’s palmolien import scam case and while he also faced allegations of a “coverup” in the 2G spectrum scam as telecom secretary.
Apparently finding substance in a set of petitions challenging Mr Thomas’ appointment after examining the government’s “confidential files” in the backdrop of allegations against him, a bench comprising Chief Justice S.H. Kapadia and Justices K.S. Radhakrishnan and Swatanter Kumar issued notices to the Centre as well as the CVC seeking their replies by January 27, when the case will be taken up for final hearing.
Though attorney-general, Mr G.E. Vahnvati was on Monday supposed to respond to the court’s direction to obtain “instructions” from the government on how Mr Thomas would be able to function effectively, the bench gave him hardly any opportunity to make a statement.