New Delhi, March 3 : The Supreme Court On Thursday rejected the contention of Central Vigilance Commissioner P J Thomas and the Centre that the appointment of CVC cannot be brought under judicial review.
The apex court said the legality of the recommendation of the high-powered committee can be brought under judicial review.
The Supreme Court also said, the high-powered committee did not consider the criminal case pending against Thomas and the DoPT(department of Personnel and Training) recommendations from 2000 to 2004 for taking disciplinary action against him.
The Supreme Court also ruled that any future appointment for the post of CVC should not be restricted to civil servants alone but people of impeccable integrity from other fields should also be considered.
The apex court also said, the touchstone for the appointment of the CVC is the institutional integrity as well as the personal integrity of the candidate.
"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 apex court said.
The Supreme Court rejected the 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 Supreme Court said the high-powered comittee's recommendation on appointment of Thomas "does not exist in law". PTI
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