Bar Council of India removes 107 fake advocates on its roll in Delhi
- In Reports
- 04:19 PM, Oct 28, 2024
- Myind Staff
In a decisive move to maintain integrity and professionalism, the Bar Council of India (BCI) has removed 107 advocates enrolled in Delhi between 2019 and 2024. This action targets fake advocates and those who no longer meet the standards of legal practice, in an effort to ensure the credibility of the legal profession.
This process is taking place under Rule 32 of the Bar Council of India Certificate and Place of Practice (Verification) Rules, 2015, with a significant amendment to Rule 32, notified on June 23, 2023. The BCI notes that “This amendment further strengthened the verification framework, allowing the Bar Council to more effectively and systematically identify and remove unqualified/fake advocates from the Roll.” This updated rule has become a critical tool in creating a legal profession built on transparency and accountability.
Since 2019 and up to the amendment date of June 23, 2023, thousands of fake advocates have been removed following thorough investigations into their credentials and practices. These removals, according to the BCI, have largely been due to issues such as “fake and forged certificates and misrepresentation during enrolment,” as well as failure to actively practice law and non-compliance with the Bar Council’s verification process.
The BCI has continued its investigations to identify fake advocates, supported by a High-Powered Committee formed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case Ajay Shanker Srivastava Versus Bar Council of India & Anr. in W.P. No. 82 of 2023. Some forgery cases had been under review before the rule change, with others addressed since the amendment.
A BCI press release states, “It is essential that fake advocates are not allowed to walk away without being held accountable for their actions, as their deception has harmed the public and compromised the justice system. State Bar Councils must undertake full investigations to determine the authenticity of their enrolment before allowing a surrender. While such advocates may be barred from practicing law immediately, the process of complete surrender should only be finalised after thorough scrutiny and verification.”
In addition, the BCI has revealed that numerous universities are assisting State Bar Councils by uncovering fake advocates through academic degree verifications. Collaborations with universities are ongoing, and it is anticipated that in the near future, several hundred more advocates could be removed from the Roll.
The BCI further states, “Once universities complete their degree verification processes and submit their findings to the State Bar Councils, and these councils forward the information to the Bar Council of India, further action is to be taken. The election to the various State Bar Councils where it is due, are to be held only after the removal of all the fake and forged degree holders and the non-practitioners as per Rule 32. The Hon'ble Apex Court has laid stress on the effective implementation of the Verifications Rules.”
This removal process, powered by recent amendments, underscores the Bar Council’s commitment to maintaining an active Role of genuinely qualified and practicing advocates, strengthening both public trust and the justice system.
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