Judgment

S.B. Majmudar, J.-This appeal under Section 38 of the Advocates Act, 1961 (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Act’) has brought in challenge the order passed by the disciplinary committee of the Bar Council of India in a transferred case whereunder Res­pondent No. 1 advocate was exonerated of the charge of misconduct levelled against him by the appellant-complainants. In order to appreciate the grievance of the appellants, it is necessary to have a look at the relevant facts leading to these proceedings.

Background Facts:

2. Respondent No. 1 was enrolled as an advocate by the Bar Council of Punjab & Haryana under the provisions of the Act in 1963 and he start­ed his practice as an advocate at Faridkot in the Punjab State. Subse­quently, he was selected as a judicial officer by the High Court of Punjab & Haryana and he joined judicial service in the year 1965 and got his license to practise suspended. In the year 1972 Respondent No. 1 was posted as Judicial Magistrate-cum-Sub-Judge 1st Class at Samrala in Ludhiana District of Punjab State. During his tenure, complaints of bribery and commission of other misconduct were made against him by several persons to the High Court of Punj