Running lawyer’s office is not “commercial activity”: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court quashed an over 20-year-old complaint filed by NDMC (New Delhi Municipal Corporation) against an advocate for allegedly operating a professional office in his basement, asserting it constituted commercial activity. The Court reaffirmed that running a lawyer’s chamber is part of the legal profession and is not a commercial undertaking, referencing precedents including the Supreme Court and earlier HC rulings. It also considered zoning and building bye-laws, noting the Master Development Plan and Delhi building norms permit non-nuisance professional use in limited portions of residential premises. Since the NDMC failed to show violation of bye-laws or misuse beyond permitted limits, the complaint was dismissed to prevent abuse of process. This ruling protects the professional autonomy of lawyers and clarifies municipal regulation boundaries.