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The Supreme Court has dismissed a plea by a man who was debarred from practicing law as an advocate for one year by the Bar Council of India for misconduct due to running a taxi service.

Finding the allegation as of "a very serious nature", a bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Pankaj Mithal said, "We find no error in the action taken by the Disciplinary Committee when for the misconduct, the appellant was directed not to practice law for a period of one year."

The court rejected an appeal filed by Phoola Ram Jaat against the decision by the disciplinary committee of the Bar Council of India.

It noted that the findings of the disciplinary committee of the Bar Council of India were based on documentary evidence. 

"The Disciplinary Committee of the Bar Council found that the appellant was having a business of running taxi service. The Disciplinary Committee also found that there is striking similarity in the first name of the registered owner of the vehicle used for business and the appellant. Moreover, the name of the father of the appellant and the registered owner is the same and more importantly, the vehicle was registered at the address of the appellant," the bench said.

The court also noted another professional misconduct against the appellant.

It also noted the appellant was found to have represented the complainant, his brother and mother in a civil suit. Thereafter, the appellant represented his mother in a civil suit filed by her against the complainant in respect of the same land. The appellant’s mother claimed on the basis of the agreement for sale executed by the complainant and his family members. 

"After perusing the records, the Bar Council found that the appellant had appeared as advocate in both the proceedings. This is one professional misconduct established against him," it said.

Case Title: Phoola Ram Jaat Vs. Sanwar Singh

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