A former eminent barrister removed from the profession after he lied about studying at Oxford University has quit a leadership role in cricket.
Essex County Cricket Club confirmed in a statement today that chair Anu Mohindru had resigned with immediate effect. He told the board of his decision at a meeting on Sunday.
The statement added: ‘Essex County Cricket Club would like to place on record its thanks to Anu for his leadership and significant contribution during his time as chair of the club.’
Mohindru, a KC, was disbarred after a disciplinary panel found he had ‘knowingly misled’ an interview panel when he applied for tenancy at 23 Essex Street chambers in 2023. He had claimed that he studied medicine at Oxford University, a claim which the disciplinary panel chair said was a ‘reckless, foolish and completely unnecessary lie’.
Mohindru, now 50 and a member of London’s Foundry Court, had denied making any misleading statements and claimed his CV had been tampered with.
In mitigation, his representative argued that his contribution to the bar arguably outweighed the damage to the reputation of the profession caused by dishonesty from 12 years ago. But the panel found there was no other option but to remove him from the barrister’s profession.
Mohindru had been appointed the permanent chair of Essex CCC in October 2023, having taken over on an interim basis the year before. He had been a key figure in the club’s response to a report on allegations of racism by former players and gave an unreserved apology to those who were affected.
He was described in the tribunal hearing as a ‘brilliantly successful KC’ whose career had included defending England test captain Ben Stokes.
