Retired VAT Officer can be appointed as member of VAT Tribunal: HC

The present is not a case of pecuniary bias. What is argued is likelihood bias as the Member appellant was earlier working with the Commercial Taxes Department. Mere fact that at one point of time, the officer was working with the Commercial Taxes Department, cannot be a reasonable suspicion to disqualify him for appointment. He has no interest, either pecuniary or otherwise, which may afford strongest proof against his neutrality. Therefore, mere fact that he was serving the State Government, he will have a natural bias towards the State is too wide a proposition to be accepted. In view of th...