BCI Rules Violation: BCK Seeks Congress MLA and Advocate Mathew Kazhalnadan Response

The Bar Council of Kerala (BCK) recently sought a response from Mathew Kuzhalnadan, an advocate and Congress Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), in relation to a complaint filed against him.

The complaint alleges that Kuzhalnadan violated the Bar Council of India (BCI) Rules by operating a business despite being enrolled as an advocate.

Issuing a show cause notice, the BCK has directed Kuzhalnadan to furnish an explanation within a span of 14 days. The complaint was lodged by Advocate Sajeeve CK, the Secretary of All India Lawyers Union. Sajeeve CK alleges that Kuzhalnadan, along with three others, was involved in running a resort named ‘Capithan’s Bungalow’.

In his formal complaint, Sajeeve CK revealed that upon learning of the resort business from media reports, he conducted inquiries and discovered that the local Panchayat had granted a license designating their venture as a partnership.

The crux of the complaint is rooted in Kuzhalnadan’s purported breach of Rule 47 of the BCI Rules. This rule stipulates that “an advocate shall not personally engage in any business; but maybe a sleeping partner in a firm doing business provided that in the opinion of the appropriate State Bar Council, the nature of the business is not inconsistent with the dignity of the profession.” The BCK has now formally sought Kuzhalnadan’s response to these allegations.

Kuzhalnadan has taken center stage in Kerala’s news cycle in recent times. The MLA from the Muvattupuzha constituency made public allegations against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his daughter Veena. Kuzhalnadan’s primary assertion was that Veena and her company, Exalogic, had failed to remit Integrated Goods and Service Tax (IGST) on a payment amounting to ₹1.7 crore received from Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd.

The Congress leader reportedly dispatched a complaint to the State Finance Minister and demanded an explanation from the ruling CPI(M) (Communist Party of India (Marxist)) government during a press conference held over the past weekend.

In a tit-for-tat response, the CPI(M) retaliated against Kuzhalnadan’s allegations, accusing him of tax evasion pertaining to a resort he owns – the very establishment that has drawn the attention of the BCK.

Nunnem Gangte

Recent Posts

Punjab & Haryana HC Notice To Jindal Law School Over AI-Generated Exam Claims

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday has issued a notice to Jindal Global…

3 hours ago

ED Files Money Laundering Complaint Against Charanjit Singh Bajaj, 4 Others

The ED on Tuesday has filed a Prosecution Complaint before the Special Court in Mohali…

3 hours ago

Pune Porsche Case: SC Rejects Anticipatory Bail To Father Of Minor Driver’s Friend

The Supreme Court on Tuesday denied bail to Arunkumar Devnath Singh, whose son is a…

4 hours ago

SC Dumps Plea Against Quashing LOC For Sushant Singh Rajput’s Ex-House Help

The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed the Centre's appeal against a Bombay High Court order…

4 hours ago

Rape Case: SC Issues Notice On Ex-Army Officer’s Plea For Quashing Charge sheet

The Supreme Court on Tuesday has agreed to review a plea from retired Army Captain…

5 hours ago

Chhattisgarh NAN Scam: FIR Against 2 Retired IAS Officers, Former AG

The Chhattisgarh Anti-Corruption Bureau on Tuesday has registered a case against 2 retired IAS officers…

5 hours ago