Supreme Court strikes down appointment of CVC Thomas

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Supreme Court quashes appointment of PJ Thomas

The Supreme Court on Thursday quashed the appointment of P.J. Thomas as Central vigilance commissioner.
The court said that the high-powered comittee's recommendation on appointment of Thomas 'does not exist in law'.

The committee, for whatsoever reason, failed to consider relevant material recommending action against Thomas, SC said.

SC rejected government's contention that vigilance clearance given by the CVC in 2008 was the basis for empanelment of Thomas as a candidate for the post of CVC.

The court said that the committee and no government authority focussed on larger issue of institutional integrity of the office of CVC while recommending the name of Thomas.

The touchstone for the appointment of the CVC is the institutional integrity as well as the personal integrity of the candidate, SC said.

The court also said that any future appointment should not be restricted to civil servants alone but people of impeccable integrity from other fields should also be considered.

Thomas was appointed CVC on September 3, 2010.