Kengai Ponnampalam Chetty

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

Sole practitioner conveyancer Kengai Ponnampalam Chetty faced nine allegations heard in his absence following his disappearance (believed to be in India). The Tribunal found all allegations proved, including dishonesty on five of them under the Twinsectra test. Over a roughly three-week period he gave undertakings to discharge charges which he never fulfilled, withdrew client/lender monies otherwise than in accordance with instructions, acted in conveyancing transactions (Gainford House and Devoran) exhibiting characteristics of fraud (including certifying a false passport copy), failed to comply with lender instructions, failed to keep proper accounting records and reconciliations, failed to produce documents to the SRA, and abandoned his practice. Over £760,000 was paid to unconnected entities. He was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £30,000 (reduced from £39,141.28).

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations
• No taking unfair advantage
• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• Proper termination and return of instructions
• No improper use of client money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• Diligence and timeliness
• Honour professional undertakings

Aggravating factors:

• Coldly calculating misconduct with high level of manipulation of circumstances to his own advantage
• Payment out of over £760,000 to entities unconnected with the conveyancing transactions
• Accepted instructions on Devoran while planning to sell premises and go on holiday
• Abandonment of practice and 'going to ground'
• Substantial claims on the Compensation Fund
• Benefitted from failure to discharge charges on properties he owned
• Failure to engage with SRA or Tribunal