Sacked Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) PJ Thomas has moved President Pratibha Patil, pleading that he be reinstated in the post.
Thomas’ lawyer Will Mathews said the apex court ruling against Thomas’ appointment was illegal and hence, his client has approached the President, media reports said on Wednesday.
? We have requested Her Excellency, the President of India, to refer the matter again back to the Supreme Court on the legality of this judgement. As far as the judgement is concerned, it is passed by three judges but according to Article 145 (3), the minimum number judges required for reference connected with the interpretation of the Constitution if five,? Mathews said.
The Supreme Court had on March 3 quashed the appointment of Thomas as the CVC, stating that the recommendation made by the high-powered panel – headed by the Prime Minister – did not consider charge-sheet relating to a corruption case pending against him and therefore, its advice “does not exist in law”.
Thomas is likely to file a review petition before the apex court.