The Board of Discipline of Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) in the matter of CA Pankaj Arora, has found the Chartered Accountant guilty of Professional misconduct for using Facebook for advertising Professional Services.
The Board of Discipline vide report dated 11th February, 2021 held that CA. Pankaj Arora is found guilty of Professional Misconduct falling within the meaning of Item (7) of Part I of First Schedule to the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949.
A complaint was filed against CA. Pankaj Arora. The Chartered Accountant stated that the use of said picture on the Facebook was only for information of his friends and no gain was derived by him by use of said picture. After perusing the documents and the arguments, the Board found that as per the Findings of the Board as contained in its report with the respect to the charge against CA. Pankaj Arora that he advertised his professional attainments/services on a sign board pointing a direction to his office and used the words “INCOME TAX & GST CONSULTANT”.
The Board was of the view that the members are not allowed to use the term ‘Income Tax Consultant’ on professional documents which was apparent on the picture alleged to contain the Sign board of Respondent with his presence and the same clearly depicts the misconduct on the part of the Respondent with his presence and the same clearly depicts the misconduct on the part of the Respondent. The Board was of the view that a social media platform i.e. Facebook was used for advertising attainments/ services which has wide exposure and it is not germane as to who whether Respondent or someone else had posted the same on his post as the Respondent’s name was clearly used in the same.
“Thus, it has already been held that CA. Pankaj Arora is Guilty of Professional Misconduct falling within the meaning of Item (7) of Part I of the First Schedule to the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949,” the Board said.
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