In one of the most bizarre online fraud cases this year, a seller on an e-commerce platform listed a ₹499 “premium cotton lawyer’s neckband” — complete with glowing endorsements from India’s top judges. Among the so-called reviewers were Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, former CJIs D.Y. Chandrachud, S.A. Bobde, N.V. Ramana, and even the late Ram Jethmalani.
The ruse came to light when Pune-based advocate Ankur Jahangirdar spotted the suspicious listings and shared screenshots on LinkedIn, writing that the “reviews are shockingly fake, invoking names of sitting and retired judges.” Within days, legal forums across India took notice, prompting the website to delete the listings.
From Supreme Court Judges to Politicians: A Web of Fabricated Praise
The deception wasn’t limited to the judiciary. The fake reviews included names of prominent politicians — Sharad Pawar, Aditya Thackeray, Sanjay Raut, Sachin Pilot, Umar Abdullah, Shashi Tharoor, and others — creating a bizarre overlap of law and politics in a marketing gimmick gone wrong.
Screenshots circulating online showed “verified buyer” comments allegedly written by these figures, praising the neckband’s “comfort” and “professional look.” The blatant misuse of judicial and political identities on a public platform drew outrage from the legal fraternity.
“This isn’t just false advertising — it’s impersonation,” Jahangirdar told Bar & Bench. “Using the names of Supreme Court judges and deceased personalities for product promotion is both unethical and deceptive.”
How the Scam Unraveled
The fake listing remained unnoticed until October 30, when legal professionals began flagging inconsistencies on social media. The product page featured dozens of five-star reviews, some claiming to be from sitting justices. Within 48 hours of gaining traction online, the reviews were deleted, but not before screenshots went viral across LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).
Advocates called it a symptom of India’s growing “fake review economy”, where sellers fabricate endorsements to appear credible. The incident also highlighted gaps in content moderation and identity verification on e-commerce platforms that allow unverified sellers to publish fabricated testimonials.
Calls for Accountability in India’s Online Marketplaces
Following public outcry, lawyers demanded action under the Consumer Protection (E-commerce) Rules, 2020, and Information Technology Act, which penalize misleading endorsements and impersonation. Legal experts argue that platforms must vet user-generated content more rigorously — especially when public officials’ names are involved.
The incident comes amid a wider debate over digital authenticity and brand manipulation in India’s online markets. “When you have fake reviews attributed to Supreme Court judges, it’s not just fraud — it’s a mockery of the justice system,” said one senior advocate.
For many in the legal community, the case is a stark reminder that even the most trusted names can be exploited in the shadowy corners of India’s booming e-commerce ecosystem.
