BCMG Takes Disciplinary Action Against Lawyer For Filing “Frivolous” PIL Against A Bombay HC Judge

The Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa has initiated disciplinary proceedings against Advocate Mursalin Shaikh for allegedly defaming and destroying the reputations of Justice Revati Mohite Dere of the Bombay High Court and the Judiciary by filing a PIL against her.

The Bar Council has formed a three-member disciplinary committee against Advocate Shaikh “for raising the frivolous claims against Justice Dere in social media, which amounts to cheap publicity and sensationalizes and scandalizes the image of Judiciary.”

Advocate Shaikh had previously asked for a dismissal of the appointment of Justice DY Chandrachud as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

“It has been…resolved to initiate Suo Motu Disciplinary Committee Enquiry against Petitioner Advocate for having filed such frivolous and cantankerous PIL in spite of being an Advocate and having knowledge of The Judges (Protection) Act, 1985 and also the Rules, Regulations and policy of filing PIL and also for making the frivolous allegations viral in social media which amounts to cheap publicity and sensationalizing and scandalizing the image of Judiciary. The 3 Members DC Enquiry Committee is constituted for making enquiry as per section 35 of the Advocates Act 1961.”

Advocate Shaikh has filed a petition in the Bombay High Court through Advocate Vijay Kurle on March 9, 2023, seeking the judge’s criminal prosecution in connection with the adjudication of a few cases.

It is worth mentioning that Justice Dere is the daughter of Senior Advocate Vijayrao Mohite. She donned many hats before being appointed to the Bombay High Court in 2013.

The Bar Council overwhelmingly agreed in a virtual meeting on March 27, 2023 to “strongly condemn the filing of frivolous PIL bearing No.(C) 6900/2023, thereby making false and contentious claims against Justice Smt. Revati Mohite Dere, Judge, Bombay High Court.”

“It is further resolved that the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa unanimously believes that these charges amount to sensationalizing and scandalizing the image of the judiciary, as well as maligning and ruining the image of the judiciary and Judge Smt. Revati Mohite Dere.” It is further resolved that the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa strongly condemns the recent tendency of certain individuals making such charges viral on social media and attempting to get cheap and negative publicity,” the Secretary of the Bar Council stated in the press release.