In a major clampdown aimed at purifying the legal profession, the Bar Council of India (BCI) has removed 107 fake advocates from the Roll of Advocates in Delhi. This purge, which spanned from 2019 to October 2024, is part of BCI’s efforts to uphold the integrity and professionalism within the legal community.
The initiative falls under Rule 32 of the Bar Council of India Certificate and Place of Practice (Verification) Rules, 2015, which was significantly strengthened by an amendment notified on June 23, 2023. This amendment revamped the verification framework, enabling the BCI to identify and eliminate unqualified or fake advocates more effectively.
Before the amendment, the BCI had already removed several thousand advocates following exhaustive investigations into their credentials and professional conduct. Many of these individuals were found to have submitted fake or forged certificates or misrepresented their qualifications during enrollment. Others were removed for failing to actively engage in legal practice or comply with the BCI’s rigorous verification procedures.
With the June 2023 amendment, the process of identifying fraudulent practitioners has accelerated. The BCI’s latest report highlights that of the total removals, 50 occurred post-amendment, signaling an intensified effort to cleanse the advocacy profession of malpractices.
According to the BCI’s press release, some fraudulent advocates had preemptively surrendered their enrollment certificates, aware of the ongoing investigations and the increased scrutiny. The BCI, however, has issued a stern warning to all State Bar Councils to meticulously verify the authenticity of each enrollment before accepting such surrenders.
“It is crucial that these individuals are held accountable for their actions; their deceit not only harms the public but also undermines the justice system,” the BCI stated. The council emphasized that while these advocates are immediately barred from practicing law, a complete surrender of their licenses should only be processed following thorough scrutiny and verification.
