Supreme Court upholds advocate's two-year suspension for disclosing client's confidential info

The case concerns a dispute between a former client (Rehana Khan) and her former advocate (Rizwan Siddiquee) regarding allegations of professional misconduct, specifically the unauthorized disclosure of confidential information and issuance of legal notices. The Supreme Court is reviewing the disciplinary order that suspended the advocate from practice for two years and imposed a fine.

Who it concerns: Appellant: Rehana Khan; Respondent: Rizwan Siddiquee (Advocate); Bench: Justice Vikram Nath; Additional Party: Secretary, Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa.

What the court decided

• The Court noted that the matter arises from a Disciplinary Committee order dated 11th August 2025.
• The Disciplinary Committee had previously directed the removal of the respondent's name from the roll of advocates for two years.
• The Disciplinary Committee had imposed a fine of Rs. 3,00,000 payable to the appellant and Rs. 2,00,000 to the Bar Council Welfare Fund.
• The Court identified two core questions: whether the findings of professional misconduct are sustainable and whether the punishment imposed is inadequate.
• The Court stated that neither the appellant nor the respondent leaves the Court with credit, citing a lack of candor from both sides.

Also in the document

• The Court explicitly stated that it had not been diverted by the 'spectacle' of the case and had prised out facts from a record characterized by suppression and embellishment by both parties.
• The proceedings involve cross-appeals where the appellant seeks enhanced punishment (permanent removal and Rs. 2 Crore compensation) and the respondent seeks to set aside the disciplinary order entirely.
• The Court noted that the police official against whom the original FIR was filed was discharged by the Trial Court in December 2015, and that order has attained finality.