Section 36. Vacancies etc., not to invalidate proceedings of Appellate Tribunal.

1[36. Vacancies, etc., not to invalidate proceedings of Appellate Tribunal.--No act or proceeding of the Appellate Tribunal shall be invalid merely by reason of-- (a) any vacancy in, or any defect in the constitution of the Tribunal; or (b) any defect in the appointment of a person acting as a Member of the Tribunal; or (c) any irregularity in the procedure of the Tribunal not affecting the merits of the case.]