The Madras High Court said that lawyers enjoy a particular status in society and, therefore, are expected to display good conduct both inside and outside the court premises. A Bench of Justices SM Subramaniam and SV Sivagnanam directed the Bar Council of India (BCI) to take action against a lawyer accused of having forged a rent agreement.
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CHENNAI: The Madras High Court emphasized that lawyers hold a special status in society and are therefore expected to demonstrate exemplary conduct both within and outside the courtroom.
This statement was made by a Bench comprising Justices SM Subramaniam and SV Sivagnanam, who directed the Bar Council of India (BCI) to take disciplinary action against a lawyer accused of forging a rent agreement.
In an order issued on August 27, the Bench also instructed the local police to proceed with the criminal case registered against the lawyer. The Court underscored the significance of maintaining high standards of conduct in the legal profession, stating,
“A lawyer enjoys a status in the society. They are expected to maintain good conduct. A lawyer involved in the creation of a forged rental agreement is liable to be prosecuted for misconduct under the Advocates Act, 1961, and the Bar Council of India Rules, 1975.”
The Court further criticized the lawyer in question, noting,
“The 5th respondent is in occupation of the building belonging to the petitioner and running a Lawyer Office by abusing his position as a lawyer, which caused disreputation to the legal profession. The Bar Council has to maintain professional standards, and in the event of any complaint of misconduct, actions are to be initiated.”
This case arose from a petition filed by BL Madhavan, a resident of Chennai, who sought directions from the Court for the BCI and the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to take action against the lawyer, B Amarnath, who is enrolled with the Bar Council of Andhra Pradesh.
Madhavan alleged that he had entered into an agreement with Amarnath to lease out a room to him, but Amarnath not only failed to pay the rent but also forged a new rent agreement to occupy a larger portion of Madhavan’s house.
Previously, the Court had directed the local police and district authorities to verify the veracity of the allegations made by Madhavan. After the authorities confirmed the truth of these allegations, the Court determined that Amarnath was liable to face legal and disciplinary action.
The Court concluded by reiterating the high standards expected of lawyers, stating,
“Since the 5th respondent is a lawyer, his conduct, both inside and outside the Court premises, is expected to be good and in accordance with law.”
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