CVC Thomas likely to challenge SC verdict

Central Vigilance Commissioner PJ Thomas, whose appointment was struck down by the Supreme Court on Thursday, is likely to challenge the verdict. The likelihood emerged even as his lawyer, Will Mathews, said today that his client may file a review petition after the apex court deemed his appointment as the head of India's anti-corruption watchdog illegal.

Meanwhile, reports said that the Law Ministry will issue a notification quashing the appointment of PJ Thomas as the CVC. Sources in the Law Ministry also said that there may not be any need for a resignation from Thomas's end as the recommendation to appoint him as the CVC had been set aside by the court.

Speaking to CNN-IBN, Mathews said that Thomas has not resigned yet. "We are studying the judgement. He will decide only after reading the judgement whether to resign or not," he said.

The Supreme Court's verdict on Thursday raised serious questions on the role of the prime minister and home minister in appointing Thomas. Charge-sheeted in a palmolein import scam, Thomas was appointed by the government in 2010 despite opposition leader Sushma Swaraj's dissenting note.

Just six months after Thomas took oath as the country's top anti-corruption official, he has been shown the exit door by the apex court. Quashing his appointment as CVC, the court called the government recommendation as bad in law.