No collision between govt, judiciary: Vahanvati

NEW DELHI: Attorney General G E Vahanvati today said there was no no collision between the government or the judiciary as neither wants it.

Clarifying his position in the context of hearing in the Supreme Court on the appointment of P J Thomas as Central Vigilance Commissioner, the AG said the court was seeking some answers on the issue and the government was prepared to give them.

"There is no no collision between government and the judiciary. Government does not not want it. The judiciary does not not want it," he said.

Referring to the appointment of the CVC, Vahanvati said there was a chargesheet filed against Thomas in a case in 2000 but subsequently in 2005 and later the CVC had given clearances to him saying there was no no case against him.

Thomas was appointed Chief Secretary of Kerala and subsequently as Secretary, Parliamentary Affairs and Telecom before he was chosen as the CVC, the AG said.

He said the court asked him the question if there was a case against an official would he be able to function effectively.

"I told them I will answer the question. I also told the court that eligibility is an objective criterion while suitability is a subjective criterion," he said.