Bar body disowns complaint accusing Madras High Court Senior Advocate of taking ₹50 lakh bribe from client

The All India Lawyers Association for Justice (AILAJ) has denied sending the representation that led to the recusal of a Madras High Court judge after allegations surfaced that a senior advocate appearing before him had taken ₹50 lakh from a client on the pretext of bribing the judge. [N Ganesh Agarwal v. Inspector of Police]

The lawyers’ body has now sought criminal action against those responsible for misusing its name.

Justice M Nirmal Kumar had recently recused from hearing a criminal revision and connected quashing petition after the Registry received a communication from the Union Ministry of Law and Justice enclosing a representation purportedly sent by AILAJ.

The representation alleged that a senior advocate had collected ₹50 lakh from a client claiming the money was meant for the judge and that no order had been passed even after the payment. The judge directed that the matter be placed before the Chief Justice and that the High Court Vigilance Cell conduct an inquiry.

Senior Advocate N Murali Kumaran, who was named in the allegations, denied the claims and said he was ready to cooperate with any inquiry. Special Public Prosecutor K Srinivasan also urged the Court to take stern steps, submitting that such representations affect the dignity of the judiciary.

In a press handout dated February 16, AILAJ said that it was “shocked” to learn from media reports that a complaint had been issued in its name. The organisation stated that it had not sent any such letter to the judge or any authority and had no connection with the purported complaint. It also clarified that the address mentioned in the letter was not its office and that none of its members operate from that location.

AILAJ said that its office bearers met the Registrar General of the Madras High Court on February 16 and submitted a representation clarifying that its name had been misused. A complaint has also been lodged at the B-4 High Court Police Station, seeking registration of a criminal case against those responsible.

Calling the episode a “malafide attempt to defame and malign” the organisation said that it would ensure that those behind the alleged misuse are brought to justice.

In a separate letter to the police, AILAJ said that it became aware of the alleged misuse through the High Court’s order and newspaper reports. It reiterated that it had “never sent any such letter” to the judge or any authority.

The organisation also clarified that the address mentioned in the fake complaint was incorrect and that its Chennai operational address is in Vandalur. It further pointed out that the purported complaint referred to a “Secretary,” a post that does not exist in the organisation, which is run by State Coordinators.