Thomas points the finger at the PM
In his latest affidavit, Thomas states the PM knew about his pending Palmolein import case since 2008 and the Kerala government's request to withdraw sanction of prosecution. In the affidavit filed on Tuesday, Thomas quoted the CVC report of October 6, 2008 clearing him and seven other IAS officers for empanelment as secretaries to the Government of India and also the detailed note of the department of personnel dated October 17, 2008 on the vigilance status based on the CVC report.
Thomas quotes the department's note to point out that there were some charges against each officer but they were cleared by the CVC for appointment as secretaries.
"The PM has ordered that in view of the fact that there are no disciplinary proceeding in the Palmolein case, the request of the state government regarding withdrawal of request for sanction of prosecution is noted," it said.
He stressed in the affidavit that the petitioner's lawyer seeking his dismissal had himself stated in the court on January 27 that he (Thomas) is not corrupt and there is no doubt about his integrity. The lawyer stated, "I was not proactive”.
He pointed out that he was the senior most among more than 40 IAS secretaries to the Centre and "it would not have been appropriate to have entirely ignored me, especially when I had received vigilance clearance as well."He also noted that he was the only person who had served as a chief secretary in the panel of three considered for the post of the CVC. The other two were Bijoy Chatterjee and Subbaroyan.