Overview
- The Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa suspended Sarode’s licence for three months from the date he received the order and imposed a Rs 25,000 fine after finding professional misconduct.
- The case stems from a complaint by lawyer Rajesh Dabholkar over Sarode’s March 18, 2024 speech at a Shiv Sena (UBT) ‘Janata Nyayalay’ event in Mumbai, with a video submitted as evidence.
- The committee said his comments undermined judicial authority and cited his recorded statements about the system being under pressure and corruption rising in the judiciary.
- The remarks also referenced then-governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar, which the order said contributed to lowering public confidence in constitutional offices.
- Sarode rejected the findings, vowed not to apologize, announced an appeal to the Bar Council of India, and alleged politically motivated timing in the delayed communication of the order.