Centre defends Thomas as CVC
Even as the decks were cleared for the stalled trial proceedings in Kerala’s two-decades-old palmolein oil import scam case against chief vigilance commissioner P.J. Thomas and others by the Supreme Court recently, the Centre in an affidavit filed with the top court on Monday defended its decision on his appointment as country’s
watchdog against corruption. The Centre in its affidavit stated that Mr Thomas fulfilled the laid down criteria required for appointment of CVC that he should be a civil servant of “outstanding” capabilities and “impeccable” integrity notwithstanding the pending chargesheet.
The affidavit was filed in response to the top court query on a PIL challenging Mr Thomas’ appointment on the face of his facing the chargesheeted in the palmolein oil import scam and also allegations that he had attempted a “cover-up” of 2G spectrum scam as telecom secretary.
The Supreme Court only last week had “abated” the case against former Kerala chief minister K. Karunakaran in the oil import scam after his death paving the way for starting of the trial as the top court stay against prosecution of Karunakaran had automatically gone with his demise.
However, the government in its affidavit persisted with its stand that Mr Thomas was fully “eligible” to be the CVC as per the Central Vigilance Commission Act provisions.
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ED reminders to nations on 2G scam LR
AGE CORRESPONDENT
New Delhi
Jan. 17: The Enforcement Directorate has reportedly sent reminders to certain countries where Letters of Requests (LRs) had been issued in connection with the 2G spectrum scam.
The ED has registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in March, 2010 against unknown officials of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and representatives of certain private companies in connection with the award of new telecom licenses in 2008.
The agency had earlier sent LRs to authorities concerned in Isle of Man, Cyprus, Mauritius, UAE, Norway, Singapore, Libya, and Russia in order to gather details about the alleged investments.
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