Archive · 5 Jan 2026
Karnataka High Court Restores Lawyer's Registration
A lawyer named M A Hameed gave up his right to practice law during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Later, he wanted to practice again but the bar council said no.
The Karnataka High Court said this was unfair and ordered the bar council to let him practice again.
The court said that everyone has the right to practice their profession and this right should not be taken away without a good reason.
The bar council had to give back his registration and let him practice law again.
M A Hameed, an advocate, surrendered his right to practice law during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He later sought to withdraw his surrender but was rejected by the Karnataka State Bar Council.
The Karnataka High Court ruled that refusing re-registration would be an unreasonable and unconstitutional restriction on the fundamental right to practice any profession.
The court directed the bar council to restore Hameed's registration, subject to the refund of benefits received from the surrender.
The court held that statutory silence cannot be construed as a disabling prohibition, especially when it results in the permanent deprivation of a fundamental right.
- Who
- M A Hameed, an advocate
- What
- Karnataka High Court ordered the restoration of his registration with the state bar council
- When
- During and after the COVID-19 pandemic
- Where
- Karnataka, India
- Why
- The court held that refusing re-registration would be an unreasonable and unconstitutional restriction on the fundamental right to practice any profession
- Petitioner
- M A Hameed
- Court
- Karnataka High Court
- Judge
- Justice Suraj Govindaraj
- Fundamental Right
- Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution
- Act
- Karnataka Advocates Welfare Fund Act, 1983
- Decision
- Restoration of registration