SC Suspends Advocate for 3 Years, Orders Property Attachment to Recover ₹1 Lakh Compensation for Misconduct
The case arose from an order passed by the BCI which had found the Advocate guilty of misconduct and suspended his license to practice for three years. The disciplinary action stemmed from scandalous allegations made by the appellant against the woman complainant
SC dismisses Appeal of an Advocate, upholding three-year suspension for misconduct
In a strongly worded order, the Supreme Court recently dismissed the statutory appeal of an Advocate challenging disciplinary action imposed by the Bar Council of India (BCI), affirming the three-year suspension imposed on him for professional misconduct.
The case arose from an order dated December 19, 2023, passed by the Bar Council of India, which had found the appellant guilty of misconduct and suspended his license to practice for three years. The disciplinary action stemmed from scandalous allegations made by the appellant against the respondent-complainant, Priyanka Bansal.
Hearing the statutory appeal, the Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi categorically noted that the conduct of the advocate displayed “serious misconduct” and reflected an “obstinate character” in repeatedly making baseless and scandalous allegations.
The Court emphasized that such conduct could not be tolerated within the legal profession, which demands high ethical standards and professional discipline.
Rejecting the plea for leniency, the Court dismissed the appeal with exemplary costs of Rs.1 lakh.
Significantly, the Court directed the Collector, Agra, to attach the properties of the appellant for recovery of the cost amount, which has been ordered to be paid to the respondent, Priyanka Bansal, as compensation within three months.
The Court also issued strict directions to the Bar Council, instructing that the appellant’s license must not be renewed without prior permission of the Supreme Court.
Additionally, it was directed that after the appellant undergoes the period of suspension, a compliance report in this regard shall be submitted to the Secretary General of the Supreme Court. "The Bar Council is directed not to renew the license of the appellant without prior permission of this Court. It is further directed that after the appellant undergoes the sentence already awarded to him, a Report in that regard shall be 1 supplied to the Secretary General of this Court," the Bench said in its order dated September 12.
In a related news, the Apex Court on September 15, directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Delhi, to investigate allegations that a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree claimed by the petitioner, Advocate Naresh Dilawari, was forged and not issued by Magadh University, Bodh Gaya.
Observing the conflicting claims, the Court had noted that an issue regarding the veracity of the degree had arisen and deemed it appropriate to refer the matter to the CBI, Delhi, for a detailed investigation. "Be that as it may, as an issue regarding veracity of a degree has arisen, we deem it appropriate to require the Central Bureau of Investigation, Delhi to do the investigation and ascertain whether the degree set up by the Petitioner of having passed the B.Com examination from Magadh University in the year 1991 is genuine or forged," the Court had said.
The Court had directed the CBI Director to depute an officer to investigate the authenticity of the B.Com degree purportedly issued to the petitioner by Magadh University in 1991 and submit a report by November 30, 2025.
Case Title: Manoj Kumar Sharma v. Priyanka Bansal
Order Date: September 12, 2025
Bench: Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi