Between 2019 and October 2024, the Bar Council of India (BCI) removed 107 fake advocates from Delhi’s Roll of Advocates to maintain legal integrity. Strengthened by a June 2023 amendment to Rule 32, BCI’s systematic verification process targets fraudulent enrollments and forged certificates, urging State Bar Councils to conduct thorough investigations before accepting voluntary surrenders by non-compliant advocates.
New Delhi: The Bar Council of India (BCI) has taken substantial action to remove 107 fake advocates from the Roll of Advocates in Delhi between 2019 and October 2024. This ongoing initiative aims to uphold the integrity and professionalism of India’s legal community by ensuring that only qualified individuals remain on the state rolls.
This effort is grounded in Rule 32 of the Bar Council of India Certificate and Place of Practice (Verification) Rules, 2015, with a notable amendment on June 23, 2023, which strengthened BCI’s framework to identify and remove unqualified or fraudulent advocates more systematically.
Key Measures Taken
Between 2019 and June 23, 2023, the BCI conducted thorough investigations into numerous advocates’ credentials, leading to the removal of several thousand fake lawyers due to issues like forged certificates and misrepresentation during enrolment. Furthermore, advocates failing to actively engage in practice or those not adhering to verification protocols were also removed.
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According to a BCI press release, the recent amendment to Rule 32 has enabled more efficient detection. Fake advocates are identified through continuous investigations, conducted with assistance from the High Powered Committee set up by the Supreme Court in the Ajay Shanker Srivastava vs. Bar Council of India case. Some forgery cases had already been under review before the amendment, while others were addressed afterward.
Encouraging Accountability
In recent times, many advocates aware of their non-compliant status have voluntarily surrendered their enrolment certificates to avoid exposure. However, the BCI cautions State Bar Councils against accepting such surrenders without rigorous investigation.
“It is essential that fake advocates are not allowed to walk away without being held accountable for their actions,”
BCI stated, emphasizing that such actions damage public trust and compromise the justice system.
Ensuring Integrity in Legal Practice
The BCI has also stressed the importance of thorough scrutiny of an advocate’s enrollment before allowing surrender.
“While such advocates may be barred from practicing law immediately, the process of complete surrender should only be finalized after thorough scrutiny and verification,”
the release noted.
This latest action reflects BCI’s commitment to safeguarding the justice system and enhancing public confidence by ensuring that only legitimate professionals serve in the legal field. With continued vigilance, BCI aims to uphold high standards in India’s legal community and prevent future instances of deception.
Read the Press Release here:
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