AG KK Venugopal: We have filed a counter in the contempt of court case. We have said that the officer had no role to play in appointment of members in Income tax appellate tribunal

Hearings commences.

AG for UOI: This is a contempt matter where there are 3 alleged contemnors. One is the cabinet secretary. We’ve got the finance secretary, we’ve said in counter affidavit, he has nothing to do with this.

AG: We’ve e said search cum selection committee for ITAT had recommended 28 members. The dept of legal affairs is second alleged contemnor. Your lordships wanted file to be produced

Bench- the chairperson of selection committee had recommended 28 members. Through you appointed 22 candidates, out of 28 recommendations, you took only 16 from that and 6 from waiting list

AG: That’s permitted

Sr Adv R Basant: The court asked them to produce the file, their stand is now altered

Bench: Now IB clearance is received even before short listing. If some new material is considered It can be shown to IB and to the committee