New Delhi:
P J Thomas is not about to give up without a fight.
The Supreme Court has repeatedly questioned whether he's the best man for the job of Chief Vigilance Commissioner, a post for which he was selected by the Prime Minister and the Home Minister amid considerable dissent by Leader of the Opposition, Sushma Swaraj. It's these three leaders who choose the country's top officer to combat corruption.
Today, Mr Thomas - who has declined to do the government the favour of resigning - got more aggressive in his defence in court. His lawyer informed the court that given that 153 MPs face serious criminal charges, the case against him should not be over-emphasised.
Mr Thomas' lawyer also told the Supreme Court that it cannot question his suitability for the post of CVC because he meets all the criteria required, and because "after the high-power committee headed by the Prime Minister" had decided that he was a suitable candidate, that decision cannot be examined by the court.
Not an argument that the court's buying. The Chief Justice stressed, "If the very high authority doesn't take into account the relevant facts, can it be said that a judicial review is not possible? We can strike down constitutional amendments and not the constitutional appointment?"
The CVC can be forced to step down if he is impeached by Parliament. He can also be dismissed by the President based on the Supreme Court's recommendation.
Mr Thomas is accused of conspiring to allow the import of edible oil or Palmolein at astronomical rates in the early 90s when he was the Food Secretary of Kerala. His lawyer in court today said that a chargesheet against him does not affect his suitability for the position of CVC - a conviction, the lawyer conceded, would be grounds for removal.
The Supreme Court has repeatedly questioned whether he's the best man for the job of Chief Vigilance Commissioner, a post for which he was selected by the Prime Minister and the Home Minister amid considerable dissent by Leader of the Opposition, Sushma Swaraj. It's these three leaders who choose the country's top officer to combat corruption.
Today, Mr Thomas - who has declined to do the government the favour of resigning - got more aggressive in his defence in court. His lawyer informed the court that given that 153 MPs face serious criminal charges, the case against him should not be over-emphasised.
Mr Thomas' lawyer also told the Supreme Court that it cannot question his suitability for the post of CVC because he meets all the criteria required, and because "after the high-power committee headed by the Prime Minister" had decided that he was a suitable candidate, that decision cannot be examined by the court.
Not an argument that the court's buying. The Chief Justice stressed, "If the very high authority doesn't take into account the relevant facts, can it be said that a judicial review is not possible? We can strike down constitutional amendments and not the constitutional appointment?"
The CVC can be forced to step down if he is impeached by Parliament. He can also be dismissed by the President based on the Supreme Court's recommendation.
Mr Thomas is accused of conspiring to allow the import of edible oil or Palmolein at astronomical rates in the early 90s when he was the Food Secretary of Kerala. His lawyer in court today said that a chargesheet against him does not affect his suitability for the position of CVC - a conviction, the lawyer conceded, would be grounds for removal.
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