Suspended Sentences: Advocate Penalized for Criticism of Judiciary

The Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa (BCMG) has taken disciplinary action against Pune-based advocate Asim Sarode, suspending his licence for three months. The penalty follows Sarode's alleged critical remarks about the judiciary, the former Maharashtra governor, and the state legislative assembly speaker.

The BCMG's disciplinary committee deemed Sarode's comments as professional misconduct under the Advocate Act, despite his denial. A complaint lodged by Rajesh Dabholkar claimed Sarode made these remarks during a public event in March last year, particularly criticizing the justice system and state officials.

Despite Sarode's insistence that he planned to appeal the order, the committee maintained that his statements adversely impact the public's perception of the judiciary. The BCMG emphasized that the advocate's conduct created distrust and disrespect towards the legal system, though it issued a lenient suspension given this was Sarode's first complaint.