'REPORTABLE'

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

CIVIL APPEAL NO. 15540 OF 2017

KAUSHAL KISHORE AWASTHI ... Appellant

VERSUS

BALWANT SINGH THAKUR & ANR. ... Respondents

J U D G M E N T

Respondent No.1 herein (the complainant) had lodged a

complaint with the Bar Council of Chhattisgarh (hereinafter

referred to as the 'State Bar Council') on 19.12.2003 against

the appellant, who is an Advocate by profession, alleging

that the appellant had acted in a manner which amounts to

professional misconduct. On that basis, the complainant

pleaded that disciplinary action be taken against the

appellant. Taking cognizance of the said complaint, a

Disciplinary Committee was constituted as the reply dated

03.02.2006 filed by the appellant was found not to be

satisfactory. After recording the evidence and hearing the

parties, the Disciplinary Committee passed final orders dated

09.12.2006 holding the appellant guilty of professional

misconduct and, on that basis, imposed punishment by

suspending his license of practice for a period of two years.

The appellant preferred stat