Central Vigilance Commissioner P. J. Thomas resigned on Thursday after the Supreme Court struck down his appointment for his alleged involvement in a corruption scandal and raised the issue of institutional integrity. Six months after the Kerala bureaucrat was named as head of the country's anti-corruption watchdog, the Supreme Court said the appointment by a high powered panel, did not exist in law.An Apex court bench headed by Chief Justice S. H. Kapadia gave its verdict on a petition by the Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL) challenging Thomas' appointment as CVC. The Apex court said institutional integrity and functioning were more important than personal integrity though both were related. It said it was incumbent upon the high powered committee to keep in mind the institutional integrity while making the recommendation of the CVC and it should be according to the law.Responding to the ruling, the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said that he respects the court judgment and will speak in Parliament. On the other hand, the Law Minister M. Veerappa Moily said that the government is not in any position to say anything now as it has to study the verdict.The BJP, Left and the Janata Dal United (JDU) said the Supreme Court decision was a victory against corruption and called for Home Minister P Chidambaram's resignation on moral grounds. The ruling Congress while defending the government said that the Law Minister has made the position of the government very clear and party will react only after going through the judgment.BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy said it vindicates the party's position. JDU leader Sharad Yadav said that government should make its stand clear. Communist Party of India leader Dr. Raja said it is a blow to the government. Communist Party of India Marxist CPI-M, leader Sitaram Yechury added that the Prime Minister must explain the government's stance.