Advocate Penalized for Fraudulent Fee: Bar Council Orders Suspension and ₹25,000 Compensation
(Syed Ali Taher Abedi)
The Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa (BCMG) has imposed a two-year suspension on Advocate Ranjeeta Vengurlekar following disciplinary proceedings that found her guilty of collecting an illegitimate court fee of ₹80,000 from a client. In addition to the suspension, the Council has directed her to compensate the client with ₹25,000.
The disciplinary committee of the State Bar Council ordered the advocate to pay ₹25,000 as compensation to the client.
“Complaint is partly allowed the Sanad (License) of the respondent is suspended for a period of 2 years and cost of Rs. 25,000/- is granted in favor of the Complainant and the respondent is directed to pay the said cost within a period of one month from the date of receipt of this notice. “
The complainant, Ms. Abhijita Jagannath Zadokar, alleged that Advocate Ranjeeta Vengurlekar engaged in fraudulent conduct by collecting ₹80,000 under the pretense of court fees and subsequently providing a fabricated receipt. In her complaint, Mr. Zadokar stated that he had paid a total of ₹1,50,000 for legal services and incurred an estimated loss of ₹21 lakh as a result of the advocate’s actions. Supporting documentation—including communications with law enforcement, payment records, and WhatsApp correspondence—was submitted to the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa (BCMG) for review.
In her response to the complaint, Advocate Ranjeeta Vengurlekar denied all allegations, asserting that Ms. Zadokar had only approached her for legal consultation. She maintained that ₹80,000 was paid toward the court fee and ₹50,000 constituted her professional fees. A formal reply was submitted by the Advocate on March 20, 2025; however, neither she nor her legal representative appeared for the subsequent disciplinary proceedings.
The Disciplinary Committee, comprising three members—BCMG Chairman U.P. Warunjikar and members S.D. Desai and A.A. Garge—found that, as the evidence remained unchallenged, the complainant had successfully established his case.
Not only that the Complainant has produced Affidavit in support of the same and also 65-B Certificate is also produced by the complainant. Thus Prima-facie receipt of Court Fee Stamp of Rs.80,000/- is bogus
Taking these observations into account, the BCMG partially approved the application and imposed a two-year suspension on the advocate
