V C RANGADURAI Vs. D GOPALAN

JUDGEMENT

(1.) We agree wholly with our learned brother Sen J., that the appellant is guilty of gross professional misconduct and deserves condign punishment. But conventional penalties have their punitive limitations and flaws, viewed from the reformatory angle. A therapeutic touch, a correctional twist, and a locus penitentiae, may have rehabilitative impact, if only we may experiment unorthodoxly but within the parameters of the law. Oriented on this approach and adopting the finding of guilt, we proceed to consider the penalty, assuming the need for innovation and departing from wooden traditionalism.

(2.) A middle-aged man, advocate by profession, has grossly misconducted himself and deceived a common client. Going by precedent, the suspension from practice for one year was none too harsh. Sharp practice by members of noble professions deserves even disbarment. The wages of sin is death.

(3.) Even so, justice has a correctional edge, a socially useful function, especially when the delinquent is too old to be pardoned and too young to be disbarred. Therefore, a curative, not cruel punishment has to be designed in the social setting of the legal profession.