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News18
2 days ago
- News18
Lawyer Suspended For Two Years Over Fake Rs 80,000 Court Fee Charged From Client
Last Updated: The three-member disciplinary committee also directed the advocate to pay Rs 25,000 as costs to the complainant within a month of receiving the order. In a disciplinary action against professional misconduct, the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa (BCMG) has suspended advocate Ranjeeta Vengurlekar from practising law for two years after finding her guilty of duping a client by charging a fictitious court fee of Rs 80,000. The three-member disciplinary committee — comprising Chairman Dr Uday Warunjikar and members Sangram Desai and Aniruddha Garge — also directed the advocate to pay Rs 25,000 as costs to the complainant within a month of receiving the order. The complaint was filed by Abhijeet Jagannath Zadokar, who alleged that Vengurlekar had taken Rs 80,000 from him under the pretext of paying court fees, but handed over a fraudulent receipt. He claimed that over time, he paid a total of Rs 1.5 lakh for legal services, and ultimately suffered financial losses to the tune of Rs 21 lakh due to the mishandling of his legal matter. The advocate denied all allegations, claiming that the money was partly her professional fee, and that the complainant had merely sought legal consultation from her office in Badlapur. She also denied any responsibility for the alleged financial losses suffered by the complainant. However, during the inquiry, the complainant stepped into the witness box and submitted detailed evidence, including WhatsApp exchanges and a Section 65B certificate authenticating the electronic records. The committee found that despite being served through post and even personally via messenger, neither Vengurlekar nor her lawyer appeared for the hearings after filing a brief written reply. The committee noted that the evidence submitted by the complainant had remained unchallenged throughout the proceedings, as the respondent failed to cross-examine or counter the claims. 'Bare perusal of the record goes to show that the complainant has proved his case about misconduct," the committee observed, holding that the receipt allegedly provided by the advocate for the Rs. 80,000 court fee was prima facie bogus. It added that although criminal action may also lie in such matters, the Bar Council's scope was limited to examining misconduct under Section 35 of the Advocates Act. The disciplinary body emphasized that while it was not passing any order on other prayers made by the complainant, it found sufficient grounds to impose a professional penalty. We are of the view that it would be appropriate to pass an order of suspension for period of two years, the order concluded. First Published:
India Gazette
20-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"I am also a sufferer": VP Dhankhar echoes CJI Gavai's call for adherence to official protocol
New Delhi [India], May 20 (ANI): Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has echoed recent remarks made by Chief Justice of India Bhushan Gavai on protocol, stating that adherence to protocol is 'fundamental' and must be respected across institutions. Speaking at the launch of the book 'The Constitution We Adopted', edited by Senior Advocate Vijay Hansaria, the Vice President said, 'This morning I was reminded of something which is very critical in the country and that is not for oneself. What the present Chief Justice said--we must believe in protocol.' Referring to recent developments, Dhankhar said, 'Chief Justice of the country and protocol is placed very high. When he indicated this, it was not personal, it was for the position he holds, and I am sure this will be kept in mind by one and all.' Chief Justice of India Bushan Gavai made the original remarks on Sunday during a felicitation ceremony organised by the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa in Mumbai's Dadar. CJI Gavai said, 'When the Chief Justice of any state visits for the first time, the CP and DG come and meet them. But when told that I came to Mumbai, they didn't come to meet me. I don't want to get into this small thing, but there is some protocol.' VP Dhankar said, 'In a sense, I am also a sufferer. You have seen the photograph of the President and the Prime Minister but not of the Vice-President. Once I demit the office, I'll ensure that my successor has a photograph. But I am really beholden to the present Chief Justice for inviting attention to the people in bureaucracy, adherence to protocol is fundamental.' Meanwhile, Congress leader Udit Raj criticised the absence of senior state officials at the felicitation event, calling it an insult to CJI Gavai and a Dalit holding a top constitutional post. Speaking to ANI, Udit Raj said, 'The Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa organised a felicitation event for CJI Gavai, who is from Maharashtra. It was his first visit after becoming the Chief Justice of India, but the Chief Secretary and DGP were not present. This is a serious breach of protocol. Gavai always speaks about the Constitution, which has three pillars -- the legislature, executive and judiciary -- and the judiciary is led by the Chief Justice. The absence of these top officials is an insult to a Dalit holding such a high post. BJP cannot support Dalits. Modi ji and the Chief Minister should apologise to the people of the country.' He added, 'CJI Gavai may not have taken it seriously, but we do. This is an insult to the Constitution and to a Dalit. BJP is the B-team when it comes to Dalit issues. They cannot tolerate a Dalit in such a top position.' He demanded action against the officials, saying, 'The DG Police and Chief Secretary should be removed from their posts for not attending the CJI's event.' (ANI)
