Bar Council debars accused from practising in Bengal
Times of India | 3 July 2025
Kolkata: The West Bengal Bar Council on Wednesday debarred the law college rape prime accused, Monojit Mishra, from state enrolment. Monojit can no longer practise anywhere in Bengal, neither at Calcutta High Court nor subordinate courts.
A meeting led by the council chairman, Ashok Kumar Deb, decided to cancel Mishra's licence following his arrest. The decision will be notified to the Bar Council of India, Calcutta HC and subordinate courts on Thursday. "We stand by the victim and demand the strictest punishment for the accused, if proven guilty," Deb said. A council member said, "Let this be a lesson to all counsels. The Bar Council will take the strictest action against anyone found indulging in such practices," Prasun Kumar Dutta, a member of the Bar Council, said.
Advocates at the Alipore court, where Monojit apparently practised, claimed they never saw him in court. An advocate said many did not practise but solicited for others. "It is not uncommon. He may have passed exams and enrolled with the state Bar Council, but it doesn't mean he practised as a lawyer in court. Moreover, he cannot be employed elsewhere while practising as a lawyer," the advocate said.