P.J. Thomas withdraws plea from HC

PTI Updated - July 19, 2011 at 01:59 PM.

Former CVC Mr P.J. Thomas today withdrew from the Delhi High Court his plea for direction to the Rashtrapati Bhawan to decide his representation against the Supreme Court order sacking him.

“I seek to withdraw my petition,” Mr Wills Mathews, counsel for Mr Thomas, told Mr Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw, seeking to withdraw his plea from the court.

Mr Mathews withdrew the plea after Mr Justice Endlaw remarked, "You cannot disturb the hierarchy of the judiciary and, hence, you please go to the same court."

During the hearing, counsel for Mr Thomas tried to clarify the position saying he did not want to challenge the Supreme Court order before the High Court.

“My prayer is limited to issuance of a direction to the Department of Personnel and Training which has not decided my representation to the President seeking Constitution of a five judge Bench to decide afresh my removal from the post,” Mr Mathews said.

Mr Justice Endlaw was not impressed with the argument and he told the advocate that the legal remedy is to approach the Supreme Court itself. This prompted Mr Thomas to withdraw his plea.

Initiating the arguments, counsel for Mr Thomas said his plea seeking disposal of his representation before the appointment of his successor, Mr Pradeep Kumar, has now become infructuous.

Published on July 19, 2011 07:12