Electricity Regulatory Commissions Act, 1998
7. Removal of members
(1) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (3), any Member of
the Central Commission shall only be removed from his office by order of the
President on the ground of proved misbehavior after the Supreme Court, on
reference being made to it by the President, has, on an inquiry, held in
accordance with the procedure prescribed in this behalf by the Supreme Court,
reported that the Member, ought on any such ground to be removed.
(2) The President may suspend any Member of the Central
Commission in respect of whom a reference has been made to the Supreme Court
under sub-section (1) until the President has passed an order on receipt of the
report of the Supreme Court.
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the
President may by order remove from office the Chairperson or any other Member,
if the Chairperson or such other Member, as the case may be,-
(a) has been adjudged an insolvent; or
(b) has been convicted of an offence which, in
the opinion of the Central Government, involves moral turpitude; or
(c) has become physically or mentally
incapable of acting as a Member; or
(d) has acquired such financial or other
interest as is likely to affect prejudicially his functions as a Member; or
(e) has so abused his position as to render
his continuance in office prejudicial to the public interest.
(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (3), no
Member shall be removed from his office on the ground specified in clause (d)
or clause (e) of that subsection unless the Supreme Court, on a reference being
made to it in this behalf by the President, has, on an inquiry, held by it in
accordance with such procedure as prescribed in this behalf by the Supreme
Court, reported that the Member, ought on such ground or grounds to be removed.