Thomas ceases to be CVC, new CVC in due time: Moily

New Delhi, Mar 4 (ANI): Union Law Minister M Veerappa Moily on Friday said a new Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) would be appointed in due course, and added that the government will issue a notification indicating that the post is vacant.

"That is a process which the government has to take. The notification will be issued saying the post is vacant," Moily told reporters.Where is the question of resigning? There is no need. The Supreme Court itself ipso facto said it. So there is no question. He cannot continue," he added.

Thomas, who is facing a corruption case in a Kerala court, handed over his resignation to the government on Thursday after the Supreme Court struck down his appointment as Central Vigilance Commissioner.

Thomas had sent his resignation to the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh. However, his lawyer has stated that Thomas will ask for a review of the judgement.

A three-judge bench headed by the Chief Justice of India SH Kapadia delivered its verdict on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that sought removal of Thomas from the position of CVC.

The apex court, which had on February 10 reserved its judgement on petitions challenging the appointment of Thomas, said the appointment was illegal and that he must go. The apex court further said criminal case should have been considered.

Earlier, a bench of Chief Justice S H Kapadia reserved their orders after hearing arguments from various sides, including those presented by Prashant Bhushan, counsel for the petitioner, the Centre for Public Interest Litigation, Thomas's counsel KK Venugopal and Attorney General GE Vahanvati.

Thomas, through senior advocate K K Venugopal, had earlier argued that he fulfilled the eligibility criteria prescribed for the CVC's post and the court could not take into account the pending chargesheet to fault him on grounds of impeccable integrity since it was not part of the qualifications prescribed under the CVC Act.

The Centre for Public Interest Litigation, an NGO and others had earlier challenged Thomas's appointment as the CVC, quoting the Palmolein import corruption case in which Thomas is an accused. (ANI)