With the Supreme Court striking down the appointment of the incumbent Central Vigilance Commissioner P.J. Thomas on charges of corruption there’s a strong possibility of former state director-general and inspector general of police, R. Srikumar, taking over the top seat on the national anti-corruption watchdog.
Mr Thomas and Mr Srikumar are 1973 batchmates of the IAS and IPS.
Mr Srikumar is known for his personal and professional integrity.
He has an impeccable track record at the Centre, during his stint with the CBI, and here in the state, as member of the special investigation team that investigated the Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination.
Mr Srikumar was appointed Vigilance Commissioner in September 2010 along with J.M. Garg, former chairman and managing director of Corporation Bank.
As per Section 10 of the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003, in the wake of the Central Vigilance Commissioner post falling vacant, the President, by a notification, may authorise one of the vigilance commissioners to act as chief vigilance commissioner until the appointment of a new Central Vigilance Commissioner.
According to sources, the appointment of the new Central Vigilance Commissioner may take a while as the Centre will have to study the apex court’s verdict on the appointment of Mr Thomas.
The Central Vigilance Commissioner is appointed by a high-powered committee headed by the Prime Minister with the home minister and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha as members.