Kerala Bar Council lifts suspension on advocate Beyline Das accused of assaulting his junior

The Bar Council of Kerala has informed the Kerala High Court that it has lifted its earlier decision to restrain advocate Beyline Das from practicing in any court, subject to certain conditions [Beyline Das v Bar Council of Kerala]..Das had faced disciplinary action following allegations that he had assaulted a woman lawyer who worked as a junior at his office in Thiruvananthapuram. He eventually moved a writ petition before the High Court, challenging the Bar Council's decision to suspend him from legal practice. On Tuesday, Justice N Nagaresh closed this petition in view of the Bar Council's decision to revoke Das' suspension, on certain conditions. The latest decision was taken in a meeting held on June 11, 2025."Senior Counsel representing Bar Council of Kerala submitted that the Bar Council in a meeting dated 11.07.2025 has considered representation submitted by the petitioner and the council decided that the restraint from practice pursuant to order dated 15.05.2025 shall be lifted subject to some conditions," the Court noted in its order today. .During the hearing, Das' counsel raised concern that participating in the Bar Council's disciplinary proceedings at this stage could harm his defence in the ongoing criminal case before a trial court.However, the senior counsel appearing for the State Bar Council pointed out that criminal cases and disciplinary proceedings can go on parallelly.The Court clarified that it would not interfere with the State Bar Council's discretionary powers, but noted that Das could present his concerns before the Council itself."I find considerable force in the contention of the petitioner (Das) that giving evidence before the Bar Council of Kerala may affect his defence before the Criminal Court ... These are matters which the petitioner can appraise before the Bar Council. If the petitioner raises concern before the Bar Council of Kerala, I am of the view that it will consider the same before proceeding with disciplinary proceedings," the Court observed, before disposing of Das' petition. .Das had approached the High Court seeking to set aside the suspension order imposed by the State Bar Council on May 14, after a junior woman lawyer accused him of assaulting her at his office.The junior lawyer alleged that on May 13, Das slapped her during an argument, causing her serious facial injuries.Based on her complaint, the Vanchiyoor Police registered a first information report (FIR) under Sections 126(2) (wrongful restraint), 74 (assault on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), and 115(2) (causing hurt) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.Das was arrested and later granted bail by the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Thiruvananthapuram.Following the incident, the Trivandrum Bar Association initiated an internal inquiry and suspended Das from its membership, while the Kerala Bar Council took suo motu action and prohibited Das from practicing before any court. .Das was represented by senior counsel PB Krishnan and advocate Akhil Suresh..[Live coverage of today's hearing]