The Kerala High Court has ruled that a person registered as a homeopathic medical practitioner cannot seek enrolment as an advocate unless the medical registration is first cancelled. A Division Bench dismissed a writ appeal filed by a woman doctor who challenged the Bar Council of Kerala's insistence on producing a cancellation certificate from the Homeopathic Medical Council.
Background of the Case
The appellant, T.M. Manju, obtained a Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery degree and was registered as a homeopathic practitioner in Kerala. Later, she pursued a law degree, cleared the All India Bar Examination, and applied for enrolment as an advocate.
However, the Enrolment Committee of the Bar Council of Kerala deferred consideration of her application because she had not produced proof that her homeopathic registration had been cancelled. She challenged that decision before a Single Judge, but the petition was dismissed, leading to the present appeal.
The Bench examined the provisions of the Advocates Act, the Bar Council of Kerala Rules, and the Kerala State Medical Practitioners Act, 2021.
The court observed that both legal and medical regulatory frameworks discourage simultaneous engagement in the two professions. The judges noted that a person whose name continues in the official list of practising medical practitioners effectively represents herself as being engaged in medical practice.
the Bench observed.
“The statutory scheme under both the regulatory Statutes referred above frowns upon persons carrying on the two professions – medical and legal, simultaneously,”
The court also found that the declaration required for enrolment as an advocate could not be truthfully made while the applicant remained registered as a practising homeopathic doctor.
The Division Bench concluded that the Bar Council was justified in insisting on cancellation of the appellant's medical registration before considering her enrolment application.
Finding no error in the earlier judgment, the court dismissed the writ appeal and upheld the Bar Council's stand. No order was passed as to costs.
Case Details:
Case Title: T.M. Manju v. Bar Council of Kerala & Others
Case Number: W.A. No. 1170 of 2026
Judges: Justice A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice Preeta A.K.
Decision Date: 17 June 2026
