Yet another victory to Dharma – SC kicks out Thomas from CVC Chair

The Supreme Court on Thursday struck down the appointment of P.J. Thomas as central vigilance commissioner (CVC) for his alleged involvement in a corruption case, six months after he was appointed to the post.An apex court bench headed by Chief Justice S.H. Kapadia said institutional integrity and functioning were more important than personal integrity, though both are related.

Thomas was Kerala’s civil supplies secretary in 1992 when the alleged palm oil scam took place. The palm oil case was registered in 1999, accusing Thomas and others of a criminal conspiracy and causing a loss of Rs.2.32 crore to the state exchequer.

Leader of Opposition and Sushma Swaraj, who had vehemently opposed the appointment of Thomas as the CVC, tweeted: “dignity of CVC office restored.”

“This is the biggest blow to the UPA government, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and the Congress government,” BJP leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy told reporters.

The ruling Congress Thursday said the Supreme Court decision to strike down the appointment of P.J. Thomas as central vigilance commissioner (CVC) was not a blow to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the party would study the order.

“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,” said Congress leader Satyavrat Chaturvedi.

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