PJ Thomas may quit by Monday

Faced with criticism for sticking to his post, Central Vigilance Commissioner, PJ Thomas may quit before the Supreme Court hearing on Monday over his controversial appointment.

The SC has repeatedly said that it is improper for the CVC to oversee CBI investigations in the 2G spectrum allocation scam in view of his name figuring in a criminal case.

Under huge pressure from the Opposition, the Government is now considering removal of Thomas while looking for his successor, media reports said on Saturday quoting top Government sources.

The Government is considering the name of Finance Secretary Ashok Chawla as Thomas? substitute, the reports said..

It is said to be only a question of time before he (Thomas) gives in his paper to President Pratibha Patil, who is the appointing authority for CVC.

Though the CVC has been maintaining that there is no corruption charge against him and his conscience is clear, the sources says he may demit office to avoid embarrassment to the Government when the issue figures in the apex court.

Thomas’ name figures in a chargesheet related to the alleged scam of importing Palmolein in Kerala in 1991 and the SC questioned how he would function as the CVC with a criminal case pending against him.

Sixty-year-old Thomas, who was Telecom Secretary till recently, was appointed to the CVC’s post by a three-member panel, headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

But the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj gave a dissenting note when the Committee selected him.