Delhi High Court stays BCI order suspending lawyer over financial misconduct allegations

The Delhi High Court recently stayed a Bar Council of India (BCI) direction suspending an advocate from legal practice over allegations of financial misconduct [Lokinder Singh Phougat v. Bar Council Of India & Ors]..Justice Mini Pushkarna issued notice to the BCI and Bar Council of Punjab & Haryana on the plea filed by former Rohtak District Bar Association President Lokinder Singh Phougat.“Considering the submissions made before this Court, it is directed that Para 15(iv) of the impugned order dated 27th February, 2025, shall remain suspended, till the next date of hearing,” the Court stated. .The President of the District Bar Association of Rohtak had filed a complaint before the Bar Council of Punjab & Haryana alleging that Phougat was embroiled in financial misconduct when he was President of the bar body. The matter was taken up by a special committee of the State Bar Council, which suspended Phougat. Against this order, Phougat sought revision before the BCI. .Noting that Phougat holds influence in the District Bar Association of Rohtak and may tamper with evidence, the BCI prohibited him from practicing law during the pendency of the complaint. “During the pendency of that complaint, the respondent No. 1 is prohibited from doing legal practice as they may tamper with the evidence, and moreover, statedly, he is very popular and dominant in District Bar Association, Rohtak,” the BCI had ordered.Further, it had ordered for a police complaint to be lodged against Phougat. The Chairman of the Bar Council of Punjab & Haryana was also ordered to initiate proceedings under Section 35 of an Advocates Act against him for misconduct.Phougat, who had been elected President of the Rohtak bar body eight times, moved the High Court against this order dated February 27..He was represented by Senior Advocate Mohit Mathur before the High Court, along with Advocates Nipun Arora, Shivender Gupta, Aman Singh, Kesri Gupta, Chinmay Dubey, Harsh Gautam and Vignesh.Advocate Preet Pal Singh appeared for BCI. Advocate HPS Ishar appeared for the former General Secretary of the District Bar Association.Advocates Jasbir Singh Malik and Rhythm Bharadwaj appeared for the Bar Council of Punjab & Haryana and its President..[Read Order]