AILU Condemns Suspension of Advocate Asim Sarode’s Licence, Calls It a Blow to Free Speech and Professional Independence
Pune, 5th November 2025: The All India Lawyers’ Union (AILU) has strongly condemned the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa’s (BCMG) decision to suspend the licence of noted human rights lawyer Advocate Asim Sarode for three months, terming it a “direct attack on professional independence and freedom of expression.”
The suspension reportedly stems from remarks made by Advocate Sarode at a public event in March 2024, where he had spoken about systemic delays in the justice delivery system, the challenges faced by ordinary citizens in accessing courts, and the need for greater accountability among constitutional authorities.
According to media reports, Sarode had said that “all constitutional authorities must remain accountable to the people in a democracy.” AILU noted that his comments were made in a constructive and democratic spirit, aimed at promoting institutional transparency and accountability rather than showing disrespect to any individual or institution.
Advocate Sarode has since clarified that his intention was to highlight systemic shortcomings and advocate reform, not to malign the judiciary or constitutional offices.
Despite this, the BCMG issued an order on August 12, 2025, suspending Sarode’s licence for three months based on complaints filed after the event. However, the order was communicated to him only on November 3 — almost three months later. The AILU statement expressed concern over this delay and the lack of transparency surrounding the order, saying it “raises serious questions about procedural fairness and adherence to natural justice.”
The organisation alleged that the disciplinary process appeared influenced by external or political pressure, adding that punishing a lawyer for expressing democratic opinions goes against the spirit of constitutional freedoms.
“Lawyers are not mere professionals who represent clients in court; they are defenders of civil liberties and guardians of democratic accountability,” the AILU said. “Raising questions and calling for reform is not misconduct — silencing such voices is.”
AILU has demanded that the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa immediately withdraw the suspension and urged the Bar Council of India (BCI) to intervene to ensure transparency, independence, and fairness in disciplinary proceedings.
“Targeting a lawyer for expressing a constitutional opinion sets a dangerous precedent and will not be tolerated. Attempts to suppress the independent voice of the Bar strike at the very foundation of democratic freedoms,” the statement concluded.
The press release was jointly issued by Advocate Babasaheb Wavalkar, President of AILU Maharashtra, and Advocate Chandrakant Bojgar, Secretary of AILU Maharashtra.
