I am continuing as CVC: PJ Thomas

In the midst of reports that he may quit, Central Vigilance Commissioner PJ Thomas on Wednesday maintained that he was still in the post.

"Government has appointed me as CVC. I am continuing as CVC," he told reporters. "The matter is sub judice. It is better not to comment. Whatever proceeding is 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.

Asked whether he has offered to resign, Thomas said, "I am still continuing as CVC. If there is anything I will let you know".

Thomas, whose appointment has been questioned by Supreme Court for his alleged involvement in a palmoleine export case in Kerala, had met Union Home Minister P Chidambaram recently.

The former secretary in the Telecom Ministry, which is at the centre of the 2G spectrum storm, was appointed to the CVC's post by a three-member panel headed by Prime Minister but not before the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj, gave a dissenting note.

"I was appointed by the Government taking into considerations all these (matters). There is no controversy. There is some old case in which Supreme Court stay is there. These are judicial matters which will be settled. Law will take its own course," the CVC said.

Supreme Court had yesterday raised questions on Thomas' ability to supervise the CBI investigations in the 2G case. It would be difficult for Thomas to objectively monitor the investigations, it had said.

Responding to the bench's observation, Solicitor General Gopal Subramanuium today informed the court, "In accordance with the highest tradition, Thomas has offered to recuse himself from the matter."

Replying to a question about his name figuring as an accused in the chargesheet in the palmoleine import case in Kerala, Thomas said, "After all this, the government had appointed me as CVC and I am still continuing as CVC".