Thomas pulls out of 2G probe after SC strictures

Facing heat from the Supreme Court, which has specifically questioned chief vigilance commissioner P J Thomas' objectivity in monitoring the 2G spectrum allocation probe, the government today distanced him from the investigations into the alleged spectrum irregularities.

The official version is that Thomas, against whom the Supreme Court made observations on Tuesday, has offered to recuse himself from supervising the Central Bureau of Investigation probe, the centre informed the Supreme Court.

''In accordance with the highest tradition, Thomas has offered to recuse himself from the matter,'' solicitor general Gopal Subramanuium told a bench comprising justices G S Singhvi and A K Ganguly.

The Supreme Court had on Tuesday virtually questioned the tenability of P J Thomas supervising the CBI probe into the 2G scandal as he himself was telecom secretary in early 1998, when the spectrum was awarded on a first come first served basis.

Thomas (60), who was telecom secretary till recently, was appointed to the CVC's post by a three-member panel headed by the prime minister. Thomas's name figures in the chargesheet relating to the import of palmolein when he was serving the Kerala government.

Thomas himself maintained today that he was still in the post. ''The government has appointed me as CVC. I am continuing as CVC,'' he told the media in New Delhi.

"The matter is subjudice. It is better not to comment. Whatever proceedings are in the court, it is unfair for me to comment," Thomas said when asked about the apex court observation about him and whether he was going to quit.