BENGALURU: The Karnataka State Bar Council (KSBC) has suspended the licenses of five advocates, including one woman, for undermining the dignity of the legal profession. These lawyers were allegedly using social media 'Reels' under the pretext of giving legal advice to engage in commercial self-promotion.
Who are the Suspended Advocates?
The licenses of the following individuals have been suspended following violations of professional conduct:
* From Bengaluru: Vinay Kumar, G. Manjunath, and Renuka Hiremath (alias Renuka Devi).
* From Mysuru: V. Ravikumar.
* From Hunsur: N. Puttegowda.
Why Were They Suspended?
According to the Bar Council of India (BCI) rules, advocates are strictly prohibited from advertising their services, directly or indirectly, through any media. These five advocates were found to have:
1. Attempted to attract clients through Reels and videos.
2. Engaged in commercial activities under the guise of providing legal counsel.
3. Ignored official warnings from the Council and continued to upload content.
Defying Deadlines: The Rise of 'Reels Advocacy'
With the surge in lawyers promoting themselves online, the KSBC had issued a strict directive on August 15, 2025, ordering all advocates to remove such videos and promotional content by August 31, 2025. Following this notice, approximately 28 advocates complied and deleted their objectionable content. However, the five suspended advocates allegedly tried to mislead the scrutiny committee.
Deception and Hidden Content
The Council highlighted a specific case involving Bengaluru-based advocate Vinay Kumar. He reportedly provided false information to the committee, claiming he had deleted his videos. However, once the committee moved to settle his case, he allegedly switched his videos from "Private" back to "Public." The committee viewed this act of deception as a serious breach of trust and recommended immediate suspension.
The Legal Framework
Professional conduct for advocates is governed by the Advocates Act, 1961:
* Rule 36: Explicitly prohibits advocates from soliciting work or advertising through any means.
* Madras High Court Ruling: The court previously ruled that promotional activities by lawyers on online platforms are contrary to the dignity of the profession.
"The legal profession is a noble profession; it should not be treated as a business and cannot be advertised."
What Happens Next?
A disciplinary committee will continue its investigation against these five advocates. Until the inquiry is complete, they are strictly prohibited from practicing law in any court of law.