Advocate’s licence suspended by Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana

The disciplinary committee of the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana has suspended the licence of an advocate, Devinder Kumar Sharma, after holding him guilty of professional misconduct.

The decision was taken on a complaint filed by the daughter-in-law of a 70-year-old resident of Kharar. She had stated that the advocate, currently residing as a tenant in the complainant’s house, initially misrepresented himself as a banker, but was later found to be a practising advocate.

Allegations include non-payment of rent, harassment and demands for monetary compensation in exchange for vacating the premises. The respondent also filed alleged false criminal complaints to pressure the complainant’s family.

The respondent failed to appear and was eventually proceeded ex parte. The committee has suspended the respondent’s licence for one year with immediate effect. He has been debarred from appearing in any court during the suspension and directed to surrender his advocate ID card and licence of the bar council.