Supreme Court Delivers Split Verdict on Disciplinary Action Against Advocate-on-Record

The Supreme Court delivered a split verdict on disciplinary action against AOR P. Soma Sundaram and Adv. A. Muthukrishnan for alleged misconduct in the filing of a case. 

A petitioner, represented by Advocate-on-Record (AOR) P Soma Sundaram, was convicted under the SC/ST Act and IPC. Sundaram faced action for suppression of facts. He apologized unconditionally after a heated exchange in Justice Trivedi’s courtroom.

Justice Bela Trivedi ordered a one-month suspension for Sundaram and imposed a ₹1 lakh cost on Muthukrishnan. However, Justice Satish Chandra Sharma dissented, terming the punishment harsh and favoring forgiveness.

The matter will now be referred to the Chief Justice of India for resolution. (N Easwaranathan v. State)