Manoj Kumar Sharma Vs Priyanka Bansal (Supreme Court of India)
The Supreme Court of India dismissed the statutory appeal filed by advocate Manoj Kumar Sharma against the Bar Council of India’s (BCI) order dated December 19, 2023, which found him guilty of professional misconduct. The BCI had ordered a three-year suspension from the roll of advocates. The Supreme Court found Sharma’s misconduct, which involved making scandalous allegations against the complainant, Priyanka Bansal, to be of a serious nature and viewed him as an “obstinate character.”
The Court upheld the BCI’s suspension and imposed an additional cost of ₹1 lakh on Sharma, payable to Bansal as compensation. The Collector, Agra, was directed to attach the appellant’s properties to recover this cost within three months. The Court also mandated that the Bar Council not renew Sharma’s license without its prior permission. The order reinforces the strict view against professional misconduct involving personal attacks by legal practitioners.
FULL TEXT OF THE SUPREME COURT JUDGMENT/ORDER
1. We have heard learned counsel for the parties.
2. This statutory appeal is directed against the order dated 19.12.2023, passed by the Bar Council of India, whereby the appellant-advocate has been held guilty of professional misconduct and punished with three years suspension from the roll of advocates maintained by the State Bar Council.
