The Allahabad High Court has granted anticipatory bail to Gaurang Brijvasi, who apprehended arrest in connection with an FIR concerning the verification of his law degree. The applicant’s counsel argued that merely returning the law degree as ‘unverified’ could not automatically lead to a conclusion that the document was forged. The Court found substance in this contention at the prima facie stage.
The order was passed on September 22, 2026, in a Criminal Miscellaneous Anticipatory Bail Application arising from Case Crime No. 368 of 2026 registered at Civil Lines Police Station, Prayagraj, under Sections 318(4), 338, 336(3) and 340(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
The matter arose after the applicant’s law degree was sent for verification during the renewal of his Certificate of Practice. According to the Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh, the document was returned as “unverified”.
The Bar Council informed the Court that the FIR was lodged pursuant to directions issued by the High Court in Mohammad Kafil v. State of U.P., a matter concerning verification of legal qualifications.
During the hearing, counsel for the applicant argued that the fact that a degree had not been verified, or had been returned unverified, could not automatically lead to the conclusion that the document was forged.
Justice Rajiv Lochan Shukla found substance in the applicant’s submission at the preliminary stage. The Court noted that there was no definitive reply from the concerned university confirming that the degree was forged or explaining the reason why the document had been returned ‘unverified’.
The Court observed:
“In the prima facie opinion of the Court, the contention of the Learned counsel for the applicant appears to have substance.”
The Court further noted that the matter appeared to concern documentary evidence and that custodial interrogation of the applicant was not required. It also took note of the fact that the applicant had no criminal antecedents. The order recorded that, according to his affidavit, he claimed not to be in active practice.
After considering these circumstances, the High Court held that a case for anticipatory bail was made out until submission of the police report.
The Court therefore allowed the application and directed that, if arrested, Gaurang Brijvasi be released on anticipatory bail on furnishing the required personal bond and surety.
The protection was subject to conditions, including that the applicant must remain available for police interrogation whenever required, must not influence or threaten persons connected with the case, and must not leave India without prior permission of the Court. He was also directed not to pressurize or intimidate prosecution witnesses.
The High Court clarified that its observations were made only for deciding the anticipatory bail application and should not be treated as an opinion on the merits of the case.
The Allahabad High Court accordingly allowed Gaurang Brijvasi’s anticipatory bail application and granted protection from arrest until submission of the police report, subject to the conditions imposed by the Court.
Case Title: Gaurang Brijvasi v. State of U.P. and Another
