Former Tauranga lawyer Vinay Deobhakta has been struck off the roll of barristers and solicitors for misconduct.

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal found Vinay Deobhakta guilty of misconduct when he acted for a client who was being pursued by the Inland Revenue Department for unpaid tax.

Vinay Deobhakta. Photo: 3News.

Vinay failed to account for $4000 in cash given to him by his client, suggested to his client that a cheque for $21,000 from his client payable to Inland Revenue be diverted to another purpose of no real value to the client, misled his client, and sent the client abusive text messages after he instructed another lawyer, says New Zealand Law Society President Chris Moore.

As well as ordering him struck off, the tribunal has ordered that Vinay pay $4000 in compensation to his former client, to pay costs of $25,903, and to reimburse hearing costs of $6346.

'It is a significant fall from grace,” says Chris.

'However, it is vital that clients of lawyers can have absolute trust in the integrity and judgement of their legal adviser.

'Serious breaches of the Conduct and Client Care Rules by one lawyer undermine the reputation of the whole profession.

'Such behaviour is totally unacceptable and everyone can be assured that the Law Society will investigate and take action.”

Vinay was previously prevented from practising law in 2009, when he was declared bankrupt, relating to his departure from the country while prohibited.

He says he travelled to India to give evidence for an investigation into corruption in the Immigration New Zealand New Delhi office, the Marlborough Express reported in December 2011.

In 2009 Vinay claimed an employee at the office was taking bribes to process visa applications to New Zealand.

Five months later, an Immigration New Zealand visa officer in New Delhi was sacked for "misusing departmental information for personal purposes" following an internal investigation.

Other insolvency charges he faced in 2009 related to a strained relationship with the Official Assignee, who manages bankruptcies.