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2021 (8) TMI 477 - HC - Income Tax


Issues:
Challenge to the appointment of respondents 4 and 5 to the office of the Vice President of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal based on the striking down of Tribunal, Appellate Tribunal and Other Authorities (Qualification, Experience and other Conditions of Service of Members) Rules 2017 by the Supreme Court in Rojer Mathew vs. South Indian Bank Ltd.

Analysis:
The petitioner contested the appointment of respondents 4 and 5 to the Vice President office of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, citing the Supreme Court's decision in Rojer Mathew vs. South Indian Bank Ltd., where the Tribunal, Appellate Tribunal and Other Authorities (Qualification, Experience and other Conditions of Service of Members) Rules 2017 were invalidated. The petitioner argued that the Search-cum-Selection Committee's constitution did not align with the Supreme Court's directives in Rojer Mathew or with the pre-existing laws. The petitioner claimed that the interim orders in Rojer Mathew did not validate the appointments of respondents 4 and 5, as those orders only applied to appointments pending during the disposal of the writ petitions in Rojer Mathew.

The Union, on the other hand, contended that appointments made in compliance with interim directions were protected, referencing paragraphs from the judgment in Madras Bar Association vs. Union of India. The Supreme Court clarified that appointments made during the pendency of Rojer Mathew and after its judgment were to be governed by the existing parent Acts and Rules until the new Rules came into effect. The Search-cum-Selection Committee meeting minutes from 08.04.2019 indicated adherence to the interim orders of the Supreme Court, ensuring appointments followed the conditions of service under the old Act and Rules.

The court analyzed the petitioner's objection, emphasizing that the interim orders applied to all appointments made before the 2020 Rules came into effect. The appointments made on 22.01.2020 were found to be in line with the Supreme Court's interim orders and directives. The petitioner failed to demonstrate any inconsistency with the relevant parent Act or rules, leading to the dismissal of the challenge. Consequently, the petition was dismissed, and no costs were awarded. W.M.P.No.709 and 710 of 2021 were also closed.

 

 

 

 

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