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 that he was the senior-most bureaucrat to be considered for the CVC's job. Thomas, in his affidavit, said that he has all the qualifications as required under Section 3 of the CVC Act for the job. He also stated that the inquiry about the documents being placed before the three-member committee headed by Prime Minister may not be relevant in the light of the fact that all the names on the shortlist were of secretaries to the government, who, by virtue of their process of selection as secretaries are deemed to be of impeccable integrity.