On Friday, the Bar Council of India (BCI) announced the removal of 107 fake advocates from the Roll of Advocates in Delhi as part of its intensified verification process to uphold the integrity of the legal profession. Conducted under Rule 32 of the Bar Council of India Certificate and Place of Practice (Verification) Rules, 2015, this action reflects BCI's commitment to maintaining ethical standards within the legal profession. The enforcement has gained momentum following a critical amendment to Rule 32 in June 2023, which has streamlined the verification process.
Since the rule's amendment, BCI has strengthened its verification procedures, allowing faster detection and removal of advocates who present forged documentation or fail to meet professional practice requirements. Following Supreme Court directions in cases like Ajayinder Sangwan v. Bar Council of Delhi and Ajay Shanker Srivastava v. Bar Council of India, the Apex Court emphasised the need for thorough implementation of the verification rules, stating, “Fake advocates cannot be permitted to evade accountability through the mere surrender of enrollment certificates without a thorough investigation”. The BCI has implemented a rigorous review, supported by a High-Powered Committee, to identify fraudulent practitioners across the country.
Between 2019 and October 2024, the BCI has worked to eliminate advocates enrolled with fake credentials, focusing on issues such as forged certificates and misrepresentations at the time of enrollment. The verification process received a boost after the June 2023 amendment to Rule 32, enabling the council to identify and remove fake advocates more effectively. The June 2023 amendment has marked a significant shift in BCI’s operational efficiency, leading to the removal of 50 advocates post-amendment alone, underscoring the rule’s impact. BCI’s continued collaboration with State Bar Councils and academic institutions has been instrumental, as it works to prevent unqualified individuals from undermining the legal profession’s credibility.
Picture Source :
