https://www.taxtmi.com/caselaws?id=796616 Reasonable apprehension of bias can invalidate a collective selection process even without proof of actual prejudice. Participation in the Search-cum-Selection Committee by an officer who had faced contempt proceedings initiated by the candidate in the same service dispute created a genuine concern about impartiality. The relevant record also indicated prior departmental actions affecting the candidate's prospects. The rejection of candidature for appointment as Member (Accountant), ITAT was set aside, and fresh consideration was required by a reconstituted Selection Committee excluding the concerned officer, with the outcome to be communicated to the candidate. en-us Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Fri, 07 Aug 2026 09:07:32 +0530 TaxTMI RSS Generator https://www.taxtmi.com/caselaws?id=796616 Reasonable apprehension of bias can invalidate a collective selection process even without proof of actual prejudice. Participation in the Search-cum-Selection Committee by an officer who had faced contempt proceedings initiated by the candidate in the same service dispute created a genuine concern about impartiality. The relevant record also indicated prior departmental actions affecting the candidate's prospects. The rejection of candidature for appointment as Member (Accountant), ITAT was set aside, and fresh consideration was required by a reconstituted Selection Committee excluding the concerned officer, with the outcome to be communicated to the candidate. Case-Laws Income Tax Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0530 https://www.taxtmi.com/caselaws?id=796616