Rajinder Kumar Puri

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

Rajinder (Ravi) Kumar Puri, sole director of Rothery Inesons Solicitors and its COLP/COFA, was found to have practised from October 2018 to February 2021 without qualifying professional indemnity insurance (holding only run-off cover) and to have provided falsified bank statements to the SRA in April 2021. He admitted all allegations including two instances of dishonesty. The Tribunal rejected submissions that prior SDT proceedings and his mental health amounted to exceptional circumstances. He was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £28,000.

Duties found breached:

• Honesty
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money
• Professional indemnity insurance
• Proper basis for allegations

Aggravating factors:

• Two distinct matters of dishonesty
• Dishonesty was deliberate, calculated and repeated
• Misconduct continued over a protracted period
• Material breach of obligations to protect the public and reputation of the profession
• Previous disciplinary finding in 2019 (fine of £7,501)

Mitigating factors:

• Full admissions to all allegations including dishonesty
• Cooperation with and attendance at the hearing
• Claimed mental health impact from previous SDT proceedings (rejected as exceptional circumstances)