The Kerala High Court has disposed of the writ petition filed by Advocate Beyline Das after the Bar Council of Kerala lifted the interim suspension order imposed on him, subject to certain conditions. The petitioner had been suspended from legal practice pending disciplinary action by the Bar Council of Kerala vide order dated 15 May 2025, issued under Section 35 of the Advocates Act, 1961.
Following allegations of assault by a junior female advocate working under him at his office in Thiruvananthapuram, the Vanchiyoor Police had filed a First Information Report (FIR) against the petitioner under Sections 126(2), 74, and 115(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The petitioner was arrested and subsequently released on bail on 19 May 2025, four days later.
The Bench comprising Justice N Nagaresh found force in the Petitioner’s contention that participating in disciplinary proceedings right now might negatively impact his defence in the ongoing criminal case related to the same incident, which is currently being heard in a trial court.
Importantly, the Court did not rule on the merits of the assault allegations and refrained from making any remarks on the initial suspension, only observing that disciplinary proceedings remain pending before the Bar Council of Kerala.
While the petitioner has been permitted to resume legal practice conditionally, final outcomes remain contingent on the disciplinary proceedings, with judicial interference having concluded at this stage. The case underscores critical issues concerning accountability of advocates, regulatory oversight by Bar Councils, and protection of junior lawyers in the legal profession.
The Kerala High Court accordingly disposed of the writ petition, noting that the petitioner’s grievance no longer survived.