The Supreme Court on Monday refused to grant relief to an advocate suspended from legal practice for seven years after he allegedly rammed his car into a hotel owned by the complainant in Madurai. The top court emphasized the need for discipline among lawyers to preserve the dignity of the legal profession.
Case: R. Karmegam v. Hariharasudan
Bench: Justices Vikram Nath and Sanjay Kumar
“See your conduct. As a lawyer, you dashed your car into the hotel of the complainant. Lawyers need to be disciplined and not spoil the image of the entire profession,” the Court orally remarked while dismissing the appeal.
Background
- The Bar Council of India (BCI) had initially suspended the lawyer for one year.
- This decision was upheld by the Supreme Court in October 2022, finding it to be balanced and fair.
- However, the complainant later filed a review petition before the BCI, which led to an enhancement of the punishment.
In April 2025, the BCI’s Disciplinary Committee extended the suspension to seven years, stating that while removal from the rolls would be too harsh, the extended suspension was a proportionate response to the misconduct:
“A chance can be given to him to reform himself… suspension of seven years would be appropriate to serve the interest of justice,” the BCI noted.
Appeal and Supreme Court’s Decision
The lawyer challenged the revised suspension, arguing:
- The Advocates Act, 1961 does not permit a review.
- The doctrine of merger barred the BCI from revisiting the case since the Supreme Court had already upheld the original order.
However, the Court dismissed these arguments and refused to interfere with the BCI’s decision, effectively upholding the extended suspension.
Representation:
- Appellant (Lawyer): Advocate Abhinav Agrawal
