Kerala High Court Allows KHCAA President Yeshwanth Shenoy's Appeal Against Disciplinary Proceedings Initiated Against Him

Manju Elsa Isac

20 Jun 2025 12:02 PM IST

  • Kerala High Court Allows KHCAA President Yeshwanth Shenoys Appeal Against Disciplinary Proceedings Initiated Against Him

    The Kerala High Court on Friday (20th June) allowed the appeal filed by Adv. Yeshwanth Shenoy, president of Kerala High Court Advocate Association against the disciplinary proceedings initiated against him by the Kerala Bar Council. The petition filed by Shenoy was initially dismissed by the Single Judge. The order of the Single Judge was set aside today by the Bench of Justice Sushrut...

    The Kerala High Court on Friday (20th June) allowed the appeal filed by Adv. Yeshwanth Shenoy, president of Kerala High Court Advocate Association against the disciplinary proceedings initiated against him by the Kerala Bar Council. The petition filed by Shenoy was initially dismissed by the Single Judge. The order of the Single Judge was set aside today by the Bench of Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice Syam Kumar V. M.

    The detailed order is awaited.

    Background of the Case

    Suo motu contempt proceedings were initiated against the lawyer after former High Court Justice Mary Joseph filed a complaint alleging that he shouted and harassed her while he appeared before her court and even stated that he would see that the Judge is expelled from the seat. The proceedings were closed by a Division Bench last year.

    The Bar Council of Kerala had also initiated suo motu proceedings alleging violation of Standards of Professional Conduct and Etiquette, based on the Judge's letter. 

    Shenoy on the other hand filed an in-house complaint against the Judge but the then Chief Justice decided not to proceed with the same.

    Shenoy then challenged the State Bar Council's notice stating that if the action is based on a complaint, the Council could not have initiated a suo motu proceedings against him. He further alleged that the complaint was not in the prescribed format.

    The Single judge however held that the BCK had no case that they considered the Judge's letter to be a complaint. The Council after receiving the complaint held a meeting and it was unanimously decided to register a complaint. Following this, they sent the show cause notice to Shenoy and upon receiving his reply, a resolution was passed referring the matter to the Disciplinary Committee. This order is now set aside by the Division Bench.

    Case Title: Yeshwanth Shenoy v The Bar Council of Kerala and Others

    Case No: WP(C) 7660 of 2023


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