New Delhi: The government found itself dealing with another hellish controversy today over the appointment of PJ Thomas as the country's most-senior officer in charge of fighting corruption.
Mr Thomas was appointed Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) in November 2010 by a three-member committee consisting of the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj. The government had over-ruled Ms Swaraj's objections to the appointment.
The Supreme Court which is now reviewing Mr Thomas' nomination asked the government today if the PM's committee was aware that Mr Thomas had been chargesheeted in a case of corruption when it reviewed his eligibility.
Attorney General GE Vahanvati said that documents relating to the case against Mr Thomas had not been circulated among the panel.
Ms Swaraj asserted after the court hearing that "I personally brought this to the notice of the Prime Minister and the Home Minister... but the government is speaking one untruth after another. So I have decided to file my affidavit before the Supreme Court."
With the matter showing every sign of turning into a political tsunami, the government crashed into damage-control mode. Home Minister P Chidambaram reportedly phoned the Attorney General from Davos. Mr Vahanvati then addressed reports and clarified his remarks in court.
He said that all that he had placed on record was that papers on Mr Thomas' case were not given to the committee. He also said he did not know if committee had discussed Mr Thomas' case orally, and that when he raised that point, the judges told him that was not relevant.
Mr Thomas is one of a group of people accused of sanctioning the import of edible oil at astronomical prices when he was Food Secretary in Kerala in 1991-92. That decision allegedly cost the government 20 crores.
The top court questioned the Centre, "When (Thomas) is appointed as CVC, are these facts ! relevant before the committee? Will it not vitiate the decision of appointing Thomas as CVC?"
The case will be heard again next week.
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Mr Thomas was appointed Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) in November 2010 by a three-member committee consisting of the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj. The government had over-ruled Ms Swaraj's objections to the appointment.
The Supreme Court which is now reviewing Mr Thomas' nomination asked the government today if the PM's committee was aware that Mr Thomas had been chargesheeted in a case of corruption when it reviewed his eligibility.
Attorney General GE Vahanvati said that documents relating to the case against Mr Thomas had not been circulated among the panel.
Ms Swaraj asserted after the court hearing that "I personally brought this to the notice of the Prime Minister and the Home Minister... but the government is speaking one untruth after another. So I have decided to file my affidavit before the Supreme Court."
With the matter showing every sign of turning into a political tsunami, the government crashed into damage-control mode. Home Minister P Chidambaram reportedly phoned the Attorney General from Davos. Mr Vahanvati then addressed reports and clarified his remarks in court.
He said that all that he had placed on record was that papers on Mr Thomas' case were not given to the committee. He also said he did not know if committee had discussed Mr Thomas' case orally, and that when he raised that point, the judges told him that was not relevant.
Mr Thomas is one of a group of people accused of sanctioning the import of edible oil at astronomical prices when he was Food Secretary in Kerala in 1991-92. That decision allegedly cost the government 20 crores.
The top court questioned the Centre, "When (Thomas) is appointed as CVC, are these facts ! relevant before the committee? Will it not vitiate the decision of appointing Thomas as CVC?"
The case will be heard again next week.
For NDTV Updates, follow us on Twitter or join us on Facebook
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