The Bar Council of India (BCI) has ordered the immediate removal of an advocate from the roll of the Bar Council of Delhi after his law degree was found to be fake. In a significant move on November 17, 2025, the BCI flagged the matter as an “exceptional case,” revealing a deep-rooted collusion involving a long-serving staff member of the State Bar Council and intermediaries operating from within the system.
The General Council of the BCI accepted the report of its Sub-Committee in Removal Proceeding No. 47/2025, declaring the enrolment of the concerned advocate (Enrolment No. D/81/2023) as void ab initio.
Background of the Proceedings
The action stems from a reference received from the Bar Council of Delhi (BCD) under the proviso to Section 26(1) of the Advocates Act, 1961. A verification exercise raised serious doubts regarding the authenticity of the LL.B. degree and marksheets submitted by the advocate, Mr. J. Vasanthan, at the time of his enrolment.
To verify the credentials, the Bar Council communicated with Bundelkhand University, Jhansi. In a response dated June 26, 2025, the University confirmed that the degree and marksheets attributed to the candidate were “not genuine.”
Admission of Fraud and Insider Collusion
According to the BCI press release, a show cause notice was issued to the advocate, who initially failed to provide an explanation. However, in a subsequent reply dated November 12, 2025, the advocate admitted that his enrolment was facilitated through “intermediaries or touts upon payment of money” and that fabricated academic documents were used.
The inquiry revealed a disturbing nexus. The advocate alleged the involvement of private individuals and a staff member of the Bar Council of Delhi. The Sub-Committee noted that this was not an isolated instance of misrepresentation but a “grave abuse of the statutory enrolment process from within the system.”
“Organized Criminal Network” Identified
The BCI’s investigation pointed to an “organized criminal network” facilitating illegal enrolments. The Sub-Committee identified two key figures allegedly involved in the collusion:
- Mr. Jagdish: A staff member of the Bar Council of Delhi who had served for over two decades and was continuing on extension after his superannuation in 2024.
- Mr. Arbind Panchal: Identified as a broker and tout, who is himself enrolled as an advocate with the Bar Council of Delhi.
The BCI observed that fake degrees were allegedly created by the staff of the State Bar Council in collusion with these intermediaries.
Strict Disciplinary Action Taken
In exercise of its powers under Sections 24, 26, 26A, 35, 36, 48B, and 49 of the Advocates Act, 1961, the Bar Council of India has issued the following directions:
- Removal of Advocate: The name of Mr. J. Vasanthan has been removed from the roll of advocates with immediate effect, and his enrolment has been treated as void.
- Dismissal of Staff: The Special Committee of the Bar Council of Delhi, in a meeting on November 17, 2025, removed Mr. Jagdish from service. The BCI clarified that this removal is without prejudice to further civil, criminal, or disciplinary proceedings.
- Action Against Touts: The BCI has directed strict action against Mr. Arbind Panchal and other intermediaries found involved in the fraud.
Directives for Wider Inquiry
Raising concerns that this may not be an isolated incident, the BCI has directed the Bar Council of Delhi to:
- Conduct an “immediate, comprehensive and time-bound inquiry” into all suspicious or irregular enrolments, particularly those processed during the tenure of the implicated staff member.
- Identify and proceed against all insiders, intermediaries, and brokers found complicit.
- Issue notices to the two advocates who signed the moral character certificate for the removed advocate, to ascertain their role and fix responsibility for facilitating the fraudulent enrolment.
Statement from the Bar Council of India
Emphasizing its zero-tolerance policy towards fraud, the BCI stated:
“Any attempt to pollute the roll of advocates, undermine public trust or enter the legal profession through fraudulent means, forged documents or collusive practices will be treated as grave professional misconduct and a fraud on the legal system and will be dealt with sternly and without any leniency.”
The Council reiterated that maintaining the integrity of the enrolment process is the foundation of the legal profession and any dilution of these standards will not be tolerated.
