IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

CIVIL APPEAL NO.4437 OF 2006

R.S. Jakhod        ...Appellant(s)

Versus

Balwan Singh       ...Respondent(s)

O  R  D  E  R

Heard  learned  counsel  appearing  on  behalf  of  the  appellant  and  the

respondent, who has appeared in-person.

By the  impugned  order,  the  Disciplinary  Committee  of  Bar Council  of

India  found  the  appellant  guilty  of  professional  misconduct  and  directed  that  his

name be removed from the rolls of the State Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana.

On  31st October,  2006,  notice  was  issued  only  on  the  quantum  of

punishment.  At that time, operation of the impugned order was not stayed.

Having heard learned counsel for the appellant and the respondent and

perused the records, we are of the view that, in the facts and circumstances of the

case, it would be just and expedient if the punishment of removal of the appellant’s

name from the rolls of the State Bar Council is substituted with that of suspension of

his licence for a period of six months from today.

...2/-

- 2 -  

Accordingly, the appeal is allowed in-part and, while upholding the finding

of  processional  misconduct,  we  set  aside  the  direction  given  for  removal  of  the

appellant’s name from the rolls of the State Bar Council and direct that his licence

shall remain suspended for a period of six months from today.

......................J.       [B.N. AGRAWAL]

......................J.       [G.S. SINGHVI]

New Delhi, January 07, 2009.