Centre to SC: CVC has offered to recuse himself

Controversial CVC P J Thomas, against whom the Supreme Court made stinging observations, has offered to recuse himself from supervising the CBI probe in the 2G Spectrum allocation case, the Centre today informed the apex 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 which had yesterday questioned Thomas supervising the CBI which is probing the scam.

The court had raised questions that Thomas was the Telecom Secretary at the relevant time.

60-year-old Thomas, who was Telecom Secretary till recently, was appointed to the CVC's post by a three-member panel headed by Prime Minister but not not before the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj, gave a dissenting note.

Appointed barely less than three months ago, Thomas' name figures in the chargesheet relating to import of palmolein when he was serving in the Kerala government.

The court yesterday had also questioned Thomas for supervising the CBI in its investigation into the case saying, "CBI is functioning under the CVC, at that time he (Thomas) was functioning as telecom secretary. It would be difficult for him to objectively monitor."

"He had justified the action which are being subjected to scrutiny by this court and CBI. It would be difficult for him to objectively supervise," the bench had said.

However, senior counsel K K Venugopal, appearing for the CBI, cited the Central Vigilance Act, contending there was a provision for allowing one of the vigilance commissioners to take over the functions of the CVC.