law: The Railway Claims Tribunal Act, 1987
  6. Vice-Chairman to act as
  
  Chairman or to discharge his functions in certain circumstances
  1.  In
  
  the event of the Occurrence of any vacancy in the office of the Chairman by
  
  reason of his death, resignation or otherwise, such one of the Vice-Chairman as
  
  the Central Government may, by notification, authorise in this behalf, shall
  
  act as the Chairman until the date on which a new Chairman, appointed in
  
  accordance with the provisions of this Act to fill such vacancy, enters upon
  
  his office.
  2.  When
  
  the Chairman is unable to discharge his functions owing to absence, illness or
  
  any other cause, such one of the Vice-Chairman as the Central Government may,
  
  by notification, authorise in this behalf, shall discharge the functions of the
  
  Chairman until the date on which the Chairman resumes his duties.