Lawyer running side business gets pulled up by Allahabad High Court after reporting loss of money

The Allahabad High Court recently pulled up a lawyer who was found running a business after he reported a loss of money from the account of his company to the police [Anil Kumar v. State].

Justice Subhash Vidyarthi directed the Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh to inquire into the issue and take suitable action against the lawyer, who revealed that he was the proprietor of 'M/s Ayurherbs Remedies India'.

The Court was hearing a bail plea filed by a man accused of dishonestly withdrawing money from the account of the lawyer's business.

A first information report (FIR) was lodged at the behest of the lawyer, who complained that someone had fraudulently withdrawn sums of ₹500 and ₹15,000 from the current account of his proprietorship firm. The police subsequently arrested five persons in connection with the case, one of whom was the applicant.

After granting bail to the applicant, the Court stated in its order,

"Before parting with the case, the Court is constrained to take note of the fact that the informant has described himself as an Advocate whereas he has mentioned in the F.I.R. that he is proprietor of "M/s Ayurherbs Remedies India"; it appears from the F.I.R. itself that the informant Advocate is running business also.

The Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh is directed to make inquiry in the matter and take suitable action in accordance with law. A copy of this order be sent to the Secretary, Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh for taking suitable action."

[Read Order]