The Madras High Court expressed its astonishment after a petition was filed by an individual claiming to be a lawyer, seeking protection to operate a brothel in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu.

The petitioner, Advocate Raja Murrugan, requested the court to dismiss an FIR against him and to prevent police interference in his business activities.

The court, led by Justice B Pugalendhi, strongly criticized Murrugan for attempting to justify his actions under the guise of adult consensual sex rights. The bench urged the Bar Council to ensure that only graduates from reputable law schools are admitted as advocates and imposed a cost of Rs 10,000 on Murrugan.

Further, the court was outraged by Murrugan’s misuse of legal arguments to defend morally and legally questionable practices. It emphasized that the Supreme Court's judgment in the Budhadev case was aimed at addressing trafficking and supporting the rehabilitation of sex workers, not endorsing activities that exploit individuals, including minors.

The bench was particularly disturbed by Murrugan’s admission that his trust offered services like consensual sex and therapeutic treatments, which it deemed as an exploitation of vulnerable individuals rather than a legitimate business.

The court also demanded that Murrugan present his law degree and enrollment certificate to confirm his legal credentials and membership in the bar association. The Additional Public Prosecutor disclosed that while Murrugan possesses a Bar Council Identity with an enrollment number, there were doubts about the authenticity of his legal education. The court’s strict response highlights the need for rigorous scrutiny in the enrollment of advocates and reinforces the importance of ethical conduct within the legal profession