Madras High Court calls for action against lawyer who forged rent agreement, illegally occupied house

The Madras High Court has said that lawyers enjoy a particular status in society and, therefore, are expected to display good conduct both inside and outside the court premises..A Bench of Justices SM Subramaniam and SV Sivagnanam directed the Bar Council of India (BCI) to take action against a lawyer accused of having forged a rent agreement.In an order passed on August 27, the Bench also directed the local police to proceed with the criminal case registered against the lawyer.“Lawyer enjoys a status in the society. They are expected to maintain good conduct. A Lawyer involved in creation of forged rental agreement is liable to be prosecuted for misconduct under the Advocates Act, 1961, and the Bar Council of India Rules, 1975. The 5th respondent is in occupation of the building belongs to the petitioner and running Lawyer Office by abusing his position as a lawyer which caused disreputation to the legal profession. The Bar Council has to maintain professional standards and in the event of any complaint of misconduct, actions are to be initiated,” the Court said..The Court was hearing a petition filed by one BL Madhavan, a resident of Chennai, seeking directions to the BCI and the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to take action against the lawyer, one B Amarnath, enrolled with the Bar Council of Andhra Pradesh.The petitioner told the Court that he had entered into an agreement with Amarnath to lease out a room to him on rent. However, Amarnath not only failed to pay the rent, but also forged a new rent agreement and occupied a larger portion of the petitioner’s house..The Court had previously directed the local police and district authorities to confirm if the allegations made by the petitioner in his complaint were true. After the authorities confirmed that the allegations were true, the Court said Amarnath was liable to face action.“Since the 5th respondent is a lawyer, his conduct, both inside and outside the Court premises, are expected to be good and in accordance with law,” the Court said..The petitioner appeared as a party in person. Senior Advocate CK Chandra Sekkar appeared for the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.Senior Advocate SR Raghunathan appeared for the Bar Council of India.Additional Public Prosecutor E Raj Thilak appeared for the Tamil Nadu Police.B Amarnath appeared as a party in person..[Read Order]