Legal
107 ‘Fake Advocates’ Expelled by Bar Council in Delhi’s Legal Purge
The Bar Council of India has disqualified 107 advocates in Delhi, following a stringent verification process aimed at upholding legal standards. This move is part of BCI’s efforts to ensure only qualified professionals represent the legal community.
In a significant move to maintain the integrity of the legal profession, the Bar Council of India (BCI) has removed 107 advocates from the Roll of Advocates in Delhi for failing to meet the necessary qualifications or for misrepresenting their credentials. This initiative, governed by Rule 32 of the BCI’s Certificate and Place of Practice (Verification) Rules, 2015, reflects the BCI’s commitment to eliminating fake and unqualified practitioners from the legal community.
The Bar Council of India’s action against unqualified and fake advocates in Delhi began as a verification drive under Rule 32 of the Certificate and Place of Practice (Verification) Rules, 2015. This rule mandates that all advocates must periodically verify their practice credentials to remain listed in the Roll of Advocates. The latest removals, spanning between 2019 and October 2024, aim to clean up the profession by ensuring that only genuinely qualified and compliant individuals represent clients in courts.
The verification drive involved rigorous investigations into the educational and professional credentials of advocates. Many disqualified advocates were found to have either forged their certificates or failed to comply with BCI’s verification processes. Additionally, several were disqualified due to their inability to actively engage in legal practice, violating BCI’s standards.
Strengthened Rules for Verification
A crucial amendment to Rule 32, notified on June 23, 2023, has allowed BCI to implement a more efficient verification process. This amendment, introduced in response to increasing cases of misrepresentation, provides the BCI with greater authority to systematically review and remove fake or non-compliant advocates. The BCI’s press release highlighted that, with this amendment, identifying fraudulent practices has become more straightforward, leading to the latest removals.
The legal industry has seen thousands of advocates removed nationwide, especially those with suspicious credentials or involvement in unethical practices. This wave of removals has been accelerated by the BCI’s High Powered Committee, constituted by the Supreme Court in response to the case of Ajay Shanker Srivastava Versus Bar Council of India & Anr.
Voluntary Surrenders and Precautions
The intensified scrutiny has also led to many advocates preemptively surrendering their enrollment certificates. Anticipating exposure due to their non-compliance or fraudulent credentials, some advocates have chosen to step away from the profession. The BCI, however, has advised all State Bar Councils to be cautious and conduct thorough investigations before accepting these surrenders to prevent fake advocates from evading responsibility.
In a statement, BCI reiterated, “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.”
Commitment to Legal Integrity
The removal of these 107 advocates is a reminder of the BCI’s dedication to uphold the standards of the legal profession. By enforcing compliance and ensuring authenticity in legal qualifications, the BCI aims to foster trust and reliability in India’s legal system. As the verification drive continues, further actions may be taken against advocates who fail to meet professional standards, reinforcing the BCI’s commitment to transparency and integrity.
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