LONDON (Diya TV) — Anurag Mohindru KC, an Indian-origin barrister, has been disbarred after a tribunal found he lied about studying medicine at Oxford University in a chambers application. The ruling marks a major fall from grace for the senior lawyer, who was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 2004.
The Bar Standards Board said Mohindru acted dishonestly when he submitted a false claim in his curriculum vitae in 2012. He had applied for tenancy at 23 Essex Street chambers in London and stated he studied biomedical science and medicine at Oxford University. The tribunal determined this claim was untrue.
The disciplinary panel, which began proceedings on Sept. 8, issued its decision on Sept. 12. It ruled that Mohindru’s conduct was a serious breach of the standards expected of barristers.
“The tribunal found this behavior was a serious breach of the standards expected of members of the Bar,” the Bar Standards Board said in a statement. “Having found Mr. Mohindru to have been dishonest, the panel decided that the appropriate sanction was to order his disbarment.”
The watchdog emphasized that honesty is a core requirement of the legal profession. It said barristers must be truthful when applying for positions within chambers.
“Dishonesty such as this undermines the trust and confidence that the public places in barristers and in the profession as a whole,” a spokesperson for the board said.
The panel ordered Mohindru to cover the legal costs of 54,780 pounds in addition to his disbarment. He has been immediately suspended, though the ruling remains open to appeal.
The ruling carries significant personal and professional consequences for Mohindru, who held the title of King’s Counsel (KC). He denied knowingly misleading the chambers during the 2012 application, but the tribunal rejected his defense.
Mohindru also stepped down this week as chairman of the Essex County Cricket Club. The club confirmed his resignation in a statement.
“Essex County Cricket Club can confirm that Club Chair Anu Mohindru has stood down as a Board Member with immediate effect,” the club said. “Following the meeting, the Board has decided that Jason Gallian will act as Interim Chair whilst Vicky Ford will assume the position of Interim Deputy Chair.”
The club thanked Mohindru for his contributions but noted the need for immediate leadership changes.
Mohindru was called to the Bar by London’s Middle Temple Inn in 2004. Over his career, he represented clients in several high-profile cases. One of his most noted roles came in 2018, when he was part of the legal team representing England cricketer Ben Stokes after a nightclub brawl.
His rise in the legal world made his disbarment more striking. By earning the KC title, Mohindru had reached a senior rank reserved for experienced and distinguished barristers.
The Bar Standards Board stressed that maintaining integrity within the legal profession is essential. The decision to disbar Mohindru highlights the importance of truthfulness, especially when barristers seek positions of trust.
The tribunal’s ruling serves as a reminder of the strict standards that govern the Bar of England and Wales. Lying on a CV, it said, is more than an administrative error. It is professional misconduct that damages public trust.
Mohindru’s suspension remains in place while he considers an appeal. If he challenges the ruling, his case could continue in the coming months. Without a successful appeal, his disbarment will mark the end of his legal career in England and Wales.
