Sangar Kumar and Youshamatee Devi Seekunto

Findings — machine-extracted (anthropic-batch:claude-opus-4-8); verify against the decision

Two non-solicitor employees of Gratian & Co faced Section 43 applications following the discovery, after partner Mr Nirmalanandan's death, of a client account shortage of at least £371,551.67 arising from his dishonest conduct (teeming and lading, improper payments, forged signatures and an improper secret commission). Mrs Seekunto, who maintained the firm's accounts, made clear admissions to the Law Society's Investigating Officer that she knew of the wrongdoing and failed to report it; the Tribunal made a Section 43 order against her and ordered her to pay £2,300 costs. The allegation against Mr Kumar (Practice Manager) that he failed to report a suspected forgery was found not substantiated — the Tribunal accepted he had not suspected the forgery until after Nirmalanandan's death — and the Law Society was ordered to pay his costs. The express finding of dishonesty was made against the deceased Mr Nirmalanandan, not against either respondent.

Duties found breached:

• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Report serious misconduct of others