Munnalal Halwai v. The Bar Council Of India Thr Its Secretary And 2 ORS

dishanagvekar

IN THE HIGH COURT OF BOMBAY AT GOA

WRIT PETITION NO.105 OF 2026 MUNNALAL HALWAI ... PETITIONER

Versus

THE BAR COUNCIL OF INDIA THR ITS SECRETARY AND 2 ORS ... RESPONDENTS Mr. Vishal Sawant, Advocate for the Petitioner. Mr. Pravin Faldessai, Deputy Solicitor General of India along with Ms Swizel Falcao, Advocate for the Respondent No.1. Mr. T. Rane, Advocate for Respondent No.3.

CORAM:- VALMIKI MENEZES & AMIT S. JAMSANDEKAR, JJ.

DATED :- 17th March, 2026 P.C.:

Heard.

2. By an order dated 29/09/2022 in an earlier Writ Petition No. 87/2022 filed by the same Petitioner, this Court took note of the fact that the Petitioner's complaint against Respondent No. 3 was pending before the Bar Council of India. Considering the inordinate delay in its disposal, the Bar Council was directed to decide the Petitioner's complaint as expeditiously as possible and, in any event, within one month from the date of the said order.

3. Subsequently, the Hon'ble Supreme Court, in its judgment dated 17/12/2021 in K. Anjinappa versus K. C. Krishna Reddy and Anr. in Civil Appeal No. 7478 of 2019, took cognizance of the large number of complaints of alleged professional misconduct against advocates pending for years before various State Bar Councils, and issued general directions that all such pending matters, including transferred complaints, be finally disposed of within one year from the date of the order. The present complaint is one such matter covered by the said judgment. The one-year period prescribed by the Supreme Court expired on 17/12/2022.

4. Despite these directions, the Petitioner's complaint has, till date, not been disposed of. The matter was earlier heard and reserved for orders on 09/10/2022. However, the Committee of two members hearing the matter was subsequently reconstituted, and a fresh Committee was appointed, which heard the matter and concluded the hearing on 11/09/2025. The matter was thereafter reserved for orders; however, no order has been passed till date.

5. On the last date of hearing, we had requested the learned Counsel appearing for the Bar Council of India to make a statement regarding the timeline within which the complaint would be disposed of by the Committee presently seized of the matter.

6. A statement on instructions is now made that the Committee shall

dispose of the Petitioner's complaint by 17/05/2026.

7. List this matter on 10/06/2026 to report compliance/status. AMIT S. JAMSANDEKAR, J.

VALMIKI MENEZES, J.