Duty of disciplinary committees to consider sworn withdrawal affidavits

Adjudicatory bodies operating under the Advocates Act, 1961, are under an affirmative legal obligation to factor in all subsequent pleadings, affidavits, and material developments placed before them prior to reaching a finding of guilt. A failure by the Disciplinary Committee of the Bar Council of India to advert to, discuss, or evaluate a categorical sworn affidavit submitted by a complainant explaining that the complaint was lodged out of frustration and was subsequently resolved constitutes a gross jurisdictional infirmity. Glossing over vital documentary evidence that demonstrates the complainant's satisfaction with the advocate's legal services vitiates the disciplinary order, as no tribunal can decide a matter in total disregard of an uncontroverted retraction by the sole aggrieved party. (Monty Goyal Vs Navrang Singh | 2026 INSC 94).