Central Vigilance Commissioner P J Thomas may quit the post in the wake of stinging observations from the Supreme Court on his capacity to supervise the CBI probe into the 2G spectrum scam.
Vigilance Commissioner Suresh N Patel was on Wednesday appointed as the Central Vigilance Commissioner, a year after the post fell vacant.
Newly-appointed Chief Vigilance Commissioner Pradeep Kumar, an IIT-Delhi alumni and Haryana cadre Indian Administrative Service officer of the 1972 batch, is a seasoned bureaucrat who has traversed the corridors of power in the capital having served in various key ministries.
The Ganga river in Varanasi has surpassed its warning level, leading to the suspension of all boat operations and heightened monitoring by district authorities. The rising water levels, also affecting the Varuna river, have partially impacted 11 localities and displaced hundreds of families, who are now housed in relief camps as rescue efforts intensify.
Special police observer Ajay Pal Sharma toured West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district during the second phase of Assembly elections, facing political controversy and allegations of intimidation from TMC leaders.
For India, the guiding principle should remain clear: Engage Bangladesh as a sovereign nation and society rather than through the prism of any individual leader or political party, suggests Manoj Mohanka.
Delhi Police has intensified security across the city, especially at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport and border points, in anticipation of a protest called by the digital outfit Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). Over 1,000 personnel have been deployed, and senior officers have reviewed arrangements to maintain law and order and ensure public safety.
Haryana's Director General of Police, Ajay Singhal, chaired a review meeting to assess law and order, NEET exam security, and the progress of the drug-free campaign in the state.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner V C Sajjanar has proposed a Joint Working Group with the RBI and banks to address the issue of mule bank accounts used in cyber fraud. The proposal follows 'Operation Octopus,' which exposed vulnerabilities in KYC verification. Sajjanar also recommended strict directives for banks to fix accountability and adopt advanced technology to detect suspicious transactions.
Sharad Kumar, former head of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), was named as the new chief of the BCCI's Anti-Corruption Unit.
The post of the chief of the Central Vigilance Commission, the country's anti-corruption watchdog, was lying vacant since June last year after K V Chowdary completed his tenure.
CVC K V Chowdary and Vigilance Commissioner T M Bhasin completed their tenure at the anti-graft body on Sunday and Monday respectively.
"There are not sufficient number of applications received by the government. The extension in the last date has been given to allow more people to apply for the posts," a senior government official said.
The government on Thursday faced yet another day of searching questions in the Supreme Court over vigilance clearance given to P J Thomas, maintaining that the Central Vigilance Commissioner cannot be the final authority in giving final clearance to an official facing corruption case. The court also said it would lay down guidelines for future appointment to the post of the CVC.
The party has been objecting to Telecom Secretary Thomas' appointment, saying that the move was aimed at burying the ongoing probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation into the Rs 60,000 crore spectrum scam.
Uttar Pradesh authorities have launched a statewide crackdown on black marketing of LPG and other essential commodities, resulting in FIRs against distributors and arrests.
The apex court also issued notice to the government on the petition challenging the appointment of Thomas as the CVC on the ground that he is facing corruption charges.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi demolished illegal portions of a house linked to an accused in the Uttam Nagar Holi clash case, where a 26-year-old man was killed. The demolition was carried out amid heavy police presence to maintain order.
Ahead of the meeting of the prime minister-chaired high powered panel for selection of Election Commissioners, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has written to the Law Ministry seeking details of short-listed candidates along with their 'dossiers'.
Following a fatal clash during Holi celebrations in Uttam Nagar, the victim's family is demanding a CBI probe and strict action against those involved, while authorities have demolished parts of a house linked to one of the accused.
Dominic Xavier highlights the CVC India needs.
Over 4,000 AI-enabled cameras and 15,000 security personnel are deployed for the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, ensuring high-level security and surveillance.
Following the demolition of a house linked to an accused in the Uttam Nagar Holi clash, the victim's family is demanding a CBI probe and strict action against all those involved in the incident.
Delhi Police have implemented heightened security measures in Dwarka, including Uttam Nagar, ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, following communal tensions sparked by a recent incident. The Delhi High Court has directed the police to ensure a peaceful environment for the festival.
Witnesses said the police in riot gear turned tough as the protestors tried to break through security barricades in front of Jamuna from a nearby sit-in demonstration, defying the earlier announced ban on rallies adjacent to Jamuna.
Over 6,900 corruption cases probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation were pending trials in different courts, 361 for more than 20 years, according to the latest annual report of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). Besides, as many as 658 corruption cases were pending CBI investigation, 48 for more than five years.
Another meeting will be called next week at a mutually-convenient date.
The pay scales of heads and members of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) have been revised.
According to the police, the entire Kartavya Path area has been placed under constant electronic surveillance through an extensive network of CCTV cameras integrated with advanced facial recognition system (FRS) technology.
Former Central Board of Direct Taxes chief K V Chowdary and Information Commissioner Vijai Sharma were on Monday appointed Central Vigilance Commissioner and Chief Information Commissioner, posts which have remained vacant for over nine months on which the government drew some flak.
The summons come after an FIR was registered by the ACB on April 30 based on allegations of financial irregularities to the tune of Rs 2,000 crore in the construction of over 12,000 classrooms or semi-permanent structures in Delhi government schools.
The Supreme Court of India has sought the government's response on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that challenges the appointment process of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), arguing it's unconstitutional. The PIL, filed by the Centre for Public Interest Litigation, claims the current process, solely through executive appointment by the Prime Minister, undermines the CAG's independence and violates constitutional principles. The court, while acknowledging the importance of institutional trust, questioned the extent to which it should intervene in the appointment process and whether this would constitute rewriting constitutional provisions. The PIL suggests the CAG's appointment should be similar to other independent bodies, with a selection committee comprising the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, and Chief Justice of India. The case has implications for the independence and transparency of India's audit system.
Telangana Police confirm that Sajid Akram, a suspect in the Bondi beach shooting in Australia, is originally from Hyderabad. He migrated to Australia 27 years ago.
Verma is understood to have given point-wise refusal to all the allegations levelled by Asthana before the panel comprising Vigilance Commissioners T M Bhasin and Sharad Kumar, they said.
Sheela Bhatt analyses the implications of the Supreme Court's landmark verdict on Thursday, trashing the appointment of PJ Thomas as Central Vigilance Commissioner
Central Vigilance Commissioner P J Thomas has dragged Dr Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the controversy surrounding the Palmolein import case. 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.
Even as the United Progressive Alliance government continues to be in a tizzy over the Central Vigilance C's appointment, sources say that PJ Thomas has refused to quit, primarily because he feels that he is an honest man and because as the central vigilance commissioner he enjoys immunity against prosecution, particularly in corruption cases.
The chiefs of the central agencies currently have a two-year tenure.
Defending his appointment as central vigilance commissioner, P J Thomas on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that there was no sanction to prosecute him in the Palmolein import case. In an affidavit, submitted to the apex court, Thomas said that his name was considered for empanelment for the post after the Central Vigilance Commission had given a clearance for it. He also said he was the senior-most bureaucrat to be considered for the CVC's job.
Senior most Information Commissioner Vijai Sharma is tipped to be new Chief Information Commissioner, while former Central Board of Direct Taxes chief K V Chowdary is understood to be in the running for the Central Vigilance Commissioner's post.
