Electing Justice KT Thomas for President of India

Appeal issued by JCAC – 01 May 2012

Indian democracy is facing severe challenges and the country is going through a governance turmoil. This needs to be dealt with expeditiously.  Lack of governance and absence of the rule of law mars the whole nation.  Infringement against federalism, or the subversion of local governance, or the violation of law can be overcome by properly implementing the provisions of our Constitution. For a game-changing start, the first requirement would be to get a President who discharges the responsibilities assigned to the office by the Constitution. If that were done, even under the existing provisions of the Constitution the President can act as the Super Lokpal to ensure that all laws are observed and all official personnel policy conforms to rule and procedure and corruption is effectively combated.  President could exercise moral authority to advise the Union Cabinet and Parliament on all matters of state policy. The President would not be involved directly in governance but have a monitory and advisory role.

Thus far we have had presidential candidates on the assumption that the office is of a titular head. This can change if in the forthcoming Presidential election, the electoral college elect a candidate who can and will discharge the responsibilities of the office as described in our written Constitution.

*In Justice KT Thomas we have such a candidate fulfilling all the necessary requirements: non-political, belonging to minority community and vast knowledge of the Constitution, both interpretation and implementation*.

We therefore strongly appeal that Justice KT Thomas be nominatted for the august office of the President of India and urge upon the political parties and the electoral college to get him elected through consensus.

Brief Profile of Justice K T Thomas is pasted below.

Representing JCAC

Louis Menezes IAS (Retd)              Tamil Nadu

Bhaskar Benny, Advocate              President, Andhra PradeshChristian Front

KC Gilchrist,                                     President, Chattisgarh Christian Officers & 

                                                             Professionals Association

                                                       

 M.G.Devasahayam IAS (Retd)     Convener

Justice K T Thomas – A Profile

He had his college education at C.M.S. College, Kottayam and St. Albert’s College at Cochin where he was Chairman of the College union.

He took his law degree from Madras Law College.  He set up his practice under a renowned civil lawyer of Kottayam – Mr. Joseph Maliakel. In 1976 He was made leader of the Indian delegation to attend the World Conference held at Texas under the auspices of World Alliance of YMCAs.

After 17 years of legal practice both on the Civil and Criminal side he was directly recruited from the Bar as District and Sessions Judge in 1977.  He was elevated as judge of the High Court of Kerala in 1985.  He became officiating Chief Justice of Kerala High Court in  September 1995 and continued so until elevated as Judge of the Supreme Court of India in March 1996.  He was in the five member collegium of the Supreme Court for selecting Judges of the Supreme Court and also Chief Justices of different High Courts. On attainment of the age of 65, he retired from  Supreme Court in 2002. Constitutional Law is among his key expertise.

After retirement he became Chairman of different Commissions. A few among them can be mentioned.  One was to fix fees in all unaided professional colleges in Kerala.  Another Commission was for suggesting reforms on the performance and accountability of Police force in Kerala. He was Chairman of the Review Commission for the National Law School University, Bangalore. The Supreme Court of India appointed him as Chairman of National Police Reforms Monitoring Committee.  Government of India appointed him on the High Level Empowered Committee for Mullaperiyar Dam issue.  The Supreme Court of India appointed him as the single member panel for choosing the “Melsanti” (supreme priest) of the renowned Hindu shrine Sabarimala Temple for each year.

He is currently the Honorary Professor of Constitutional Law at M.K. Nambiar Chair in Kannur University.

The President of India conferred on him “Padma Bhushan” (one of the highest National Awards) during the Republic day of 2007.

Four books were authored by him, three in  Malayalam and the one in English (Honeybees of Solomon)