In a stern crackdown on the proliferation of fake law degrees, the Bar Council of India (BCI) has called upon universities and state bar councils to urgently address this “grave threat” to the legal profession. The issue came to light after the Bar Council of Delhi verified 13 fake law degrees issued by Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut. This discovery has led to a nationwide investigation into fraudulent enrollments.
Fraud Uncovered
According to a BCI notification, internal investigations revealed evidence suggesting hundreds of fraudulent enrollments in Delhi alone. “The prevalence of such practices constitutes a grave threat to the legal profession and warrants immediate corrective measures,” the notification stated.
The Supreme Court had earlier recognized the magnitude of this issue, constituting a high-level committee in April 2023 to expedite verification processes across state bar councils. To tighten the system, Rule 32 of the BCI Rules was amended in June 2023, mandating advocates contesting bar elections to complete verification within 18 months.
Failure to comply with this directive will lead to the dissolution of non-compliant state bar councils, replaced by Special Committees under Rule 8A of the Advocates Act, 1961.
Universities Criticized
The BCI has strongly criticized universities for delaying verification processes and charging fees in violation of Supreme Court directives. Chaudhary Charan Singh University and other institutions were highlighted for allegedly turning legal education into a “mere commercial transaction under the guise of education.”
“Such unethical practices must be immediately eradicated to safeguard legal education and prevent further erosion of professional standards,” the notification added.
State Bar Councils Held Accountable
The BCI expressed disappointment at the failure of several state bar councils to implement robust verification processes. Evidence suggests thousands of advocates may have enrolled using fake degrees or forged qualifications.
BCI reaffirmed its exclusive authority to remove fraudulent entries and directed all state bar councils to submit detailed verification reports. “Reports and evidence suggest that thousands of advocates across India may have enrolled using fake law degrees, forged academic certificates, or falsified qualifications,” the BCI stated.
Call for Cooperation
The Council emphasized the importance of restoring public trust in the legal profession. “The BCI has urged state bar councils to cooperate in this endeavour to restore public trust in the legal profession,” the notification concluded.
A consolidated report on the nationwide verification drive will be submitted to the Supreme Court, ensuring transparency and accountability in the legal education system.
