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Lawyer who defended Ben Stokes steps down from county position after being disbarred for fabricating evidence in an Oxford case

Essex County Cricket Club Chair Anurag Mohindru resigns unexpectedly, following an incident in which he was expelled for falsely claiming to have graduated from Oxford University.

Legal advisor, previously representing Ben Stokes, steps down from county position after being...
Legal advisor, previously representing Ben Stokes, steps down from county position after being barred from practice due to fabricated claims in Oxford case

Lawyer who defended Ben Stokes steps down from county position after being disbarred for fabricating evidence in an Oxford case

In a shocking turn of events, Anu Mohindru, a well-known business professional and former barrister, has been suspended by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) for professional misconduct. The suspension comes after Mohindru was found to have knowingly misled an interview panel about his academic background in 2013.

The controversy began when Mohindru sent a CV to 23 Essex Street Chambers, detailing his medical studies at Oxford University from 1993 to 1994. However, Oxford University found no record of Mohindru as a student, casting doubt on his claim. The BSB later confirmed this finding, stating that Mohindru deliberately exaggerated his academic achievements and qualifications to improve his tenancy prospects.

Mohindru, represented by Mark Harries KC, has denied "knowingly" providing false information. Harries KC described Mohindru's actions as a "gross error of judgement which had come back to haunt him."

This is not the first time Mohindru has faced professional misconduct allegations. In 2016, a second allegation was made against him, that he falsely claimed to have qualified as a medical doctor. However, this claim was dismissed.

Prior to the academic misconduct scandal, Mohindru had a successful career in law. He represented Ben Stokes in his trial for affray at Bristol Crown Court in 2018. Stokes was acquitted of the charge which arose from an incident outside a nightclub following an ODI against West Indies.

Mohindru is also known for his roles in technology and digital transformation, having worked in senior positions such as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and digital strategy leader before and including 2018.

The disciplinary panel immediately suspended Mohindru, pending appeal, and ordered him to pay nearly £55,000 in costs. On September 16, Essex County Cricket Club released a statement confirming that Mohindru had stepped down as club chair, with Jason Gallian set to take over as interim chair.

Despite the controversy, Mohindru remains a significant figure in both the legal and technology industries. This suspension serves as a reminder to all professionals to maintain the highest standards of honesty and integrity in their careers.

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