Supreme Court Calls for Urgent Action on Fake Lawyers
The Supreme Court of India has taken a strong stance on the persistent issue of fake advocates. During a recent hearing, the bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, along with Justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Viswanathan, directed the Bar Council of India (BCI) to expedite its verification drive of lawyers. This initiative, which began in 2015, aims to address the startling revelation that up to 20% of the country’s 1.5 million practicing advocates may lack valid qualifications.
Alarming Findings in the Legal Profession
Since the verification process began, troubling discoveries have emerged. Over 1,000 fake lawyers have been identified in Delhi and Punjab alone. Notably, 117 advocates in Delhi were found to have fraudulent degrees, many originating from Bundelkhand University. This highlights the extent of the malpractice that threatens the integrity of the legal profession.
As early as 2015, former BCI Chief Manan Mishra brought attention to the prevalence of unqualified practitioners. These recent findings emphasize the need for immediate reform to safeguard litigants and restore public confidence in the legal system.
Supreme Court's Directives to Accelerate Verification
The Supreme Court criticized the slow pace of the BCI's state-wise verification process, calling it “an endless exercise” that requires a definitive timeline. Senior Advocate R Balasubramanian, representing the BCI, explained that the complexity of coordinating across states has contributed to the delays. Nevertheless, the court insisted that the process must not be further prolonged.
The bench directed the BCI to submit a comprehensive status report within eight weeks. This report is expected to outline the progress made and the steps taken to expedite the verification drive.
Case Title: Bar Council of India vs. Poonam Ashok Goud (Diary No. 54008/2023)
