Supreme Court Imposes Rs.1 Lakh Cost On Advocate For Scandalous Allegations Against Woman; Suspends Bar License For 3 Years

The Supreme Court recently refused to interfere with a 3-year suspension order for an advocate's license, noting that he was harassing the woman-complainant by levelling scandalous allegations against her.

The Court also imposed a cost of Rs.1 lakh on the advocate and directed that his license shall not be renewed without its prior permission.

"Having regard to the serious misconduct carried out by the appellant-advocate, who appears to be an obstinate character in making scandalous allegations against the respondent-complainant, we do not want to take any lenient view. The appeal is accordingly dismissed with a cost of Rs.1 lakh", the Court ordered.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi was dealing with the advocate's challenge to the order passed by BCI's Disciplinary Committee, whereby he was held guilty of professional misconduct and punished with 3 years suspension from the roll of advocates maintained by the State Bar Council.

Hearing the petitioner's counsel, Justice Kant remarked, "Merely because matrimonial dispute is [there]...you are blackmailing this girl! You have not withdrawn [the matrimonial case]...".

Notably, the cost amount was directed to be paid to the complainant as compensation within a period of 3 months.

Case Title: MANOJ KUMAR SHARMA Versus PRIYANKA BANSAL, C.A. No. 6679/2024

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