Removal and suspension of Chairperson and Members of Appellate Tribunal
53K. (1) The Central Government may, in consultation with the Chief Justice of India, remove from office the Chairperson or any other member of the Appellate Tribunal, who-
(a) has been adjudged an insolvent; or
(b) has engaged at any time, during his terms of office, in any paid employment; or
(c) has been convicted of an offence which, in the opinion of the Central Government, involves moral turpitude; or
(d) has become physically or mentally incapable of acting as such Chairperson or other Member of the Appellate Tribunal; or
(e) has acquired such financial or other interest as is likely to affect prejudicially his functions as such Chairperson or Member of the Appellate Tribunal; or
(f) has so abused his position as to render his continuance in office prejudicial to the public interest.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), no Chairperson or a Member of the Appellate Tribunal shall be removed from his office on the ground specified in clause (e) or clause (f) of sub-section (1) except by an order made by the Central Government after an inquiry made in this behalf by a Judge of the Supreme Court in which such Chairperson or member had been informed of the charges against him and given a reasonable opportunity of being heard in respect of those charges. |