New Delhi, Dec. 6: The attorney-general, Mr G.E. Vahnvati was on Monday supposed to respond to the SC’s November 22 direction to obtain clear “instructions” from the government on how the CVC, Mr P.J. Thomas, would be able to function effectively, however, the bench gave him hardly any opportunity to make a statement.
The Chief Justice S.H. Kapadia straightaway said: “We have gone through the files. We have to put it (the matter of Mr Thomas’ appointment) for final hearing.”
When Mr Vahanvati pointed out that notices had to be issued, the bench said the court would do so. The CJI then dictated a brief order issuing notices to the government and to Mr Thomas.
Before accepting the notice on the government’s behalf, the A-G said: “I can’t say anything at this stage... I need to go through the files.” The CJI directed that these documents, submitted by the Centre in a sealed cover on November 22, be returned to the A-G.
While advocate Prashant Bhushan, counsel for the petitioners (NGO Centre for PILs sought an early hearing, the CJI said that since Mr Thomas had to file a reply, reasonable time had to be given to him.