Advocate Asim Sarode’s Licence Suspended for Three Months Over Remarks on Former Governor Koshyari

Pune, 3rd November 2025: The Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa has suspended the licence (sanad) of Pune-based lawyer and social activist Advocate Asim Sarode for three months over his remarks about former Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari.

According to sources, the disciplinary action follows a complaint filed by Rajesh Suresh Dabholkar. A three-member committee headed by Advocate Vivekanand Ghatge, with Advocate Sangram Desai and Advocate Nelson Rajan as members, was constituted to investigate the matter. The committee found Sarode guilty of professional misconduct and recommended the suspension.

The Bar Council’s letter communicating the suspension was sent to Sarode’s office on Monday. Though the hearing in the case was held on August 12, 2025, the order was formally issued now. The suspension will remain in effect for three months, after which Sarode can resume legal practice.

Reacting to the decision, Advocate Sarode said, “For the past 25 years, I have been helping people who are victims of injustice and working to strengthen the justice system. The action against me has been taken because, during a press conference, I referred to former Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari as ‘foolish’. The complaint was filed by Rajesh Dabholkar, who is a BJP worker. I stand by what I said — but the interpretation being made is incorrect.”

Sarode further clarified that his statement was made when Koshyari was not serving as the Governor of Maharashtra. “If my words truly insulted the Governor, he himself should have taken legal action. Instead, someone else filed a complaint, leading to this disciplinary action,” he said.

Calling the decision “unjust”, Sarode announced that he would appeal to the Bar Council of India against the order. “The word ‘foolish’ is not an abuse. I have spoken four sentences, and I stand by every word because it reflects the truth,” he added.

Despite the suspension, Sarode stated that he would continue his legal analysis work. “From November 12, I will be analysing the Supreme Court hearings related to the Shiv Sena party split and the symbol dispute,” he said.