Delhi Bar Council Cracks Down: Over 100 Lawyers Lose Licenses in Fake Degree Scandal – Breaking News
New Delhi, India – In a stunning move signaling a major crackdown on professional misconduct, the Delhi Bar Council (BCD) has permanently revoked the licenses of more than 100 lawyers found to have gained admission to the bar using falsified educational credentials. This breaking news, stemming from a rigorous investigation initiated in June 2023 and concluding in September 2025, underscores a commitment to upholding the integrity of the legal profession. The action, taken under the direction of the Bar Council of India (BCI), represents one of the most significant disciplinary actions in recent memory.
The Scope of the Investigation & Legal Basis
The BCD’s investigation, conducted under Section 26 (1) of the Advocates Act, 1961, revealed a disturbing pattern of fraudulent submissions. The core issue wasn’t limited to LL.B. degrees; investigators uncovered falsified undergraduate degrees, high school certificates, and even basic educational records. Colonel Arun Sharma (retired), Secretary of the BCD, confirmed that the action was prompted by universities identifying the degrees and marksheets as “fake/forged.” This isn’t simply about a flawed degree; it’s about deliberate misrepresentation to gain access to a position of public trust. The Advocates Act, 1961, is the cornerstone of legal practice in India, and this enforcement demonstrates a serious commitment to its principles.
Beyond LL.B.: A Wider Web of Deception
While the initial focus was on LL.B. qualifications, the investigation broadened to expose a wider range of academic forgeries. Cases included falsified B.Com degrees (Shri Joginder Chawla), manipulated Senior Secondary School Certificates (Mr. Sahib Alam), and fabricated 10th and 12th-grade marksheets (Shri Vaibhav Chauhan). Several individuals, including Shri Shiv Dutt Bakshi, Shri Saket Kumar, and Shri Pawan Kumar, were found to have submitted fake BA degrees. This highlights a systemic issue potentially extending beyond the legal profession, raising questions about verification processes within the Indian education system.
Special Cases & Voluntary Surrenders
The BCD also addressed unique circumstances in certain cases. Proceedings were dropped for individuals who had passed away (Shri Mohammad Javed and Mr. Raminder Singh), but even in these instances, the council noted the presence of potentially forged LL.B. degrees. Interestingly, some lawyers proactively surrendered their enrollment certificates during the investigation, including Shri Raghunath K. and Mr. Rumman Mati, suggesting a degree of self-awareness or anticipation of the outcome. This proactive step, while not absolving them of past misconduct, indicates a recognition of the severity of their actions.
Ensuring Enforcement & Protecting the Public
The BCD isn’t simply removing names from its rolls; it’s actively working to prevent these individuals from practicing law. Notifications have been dispatched to key legal authorities across India – including the Secretary of the BCI, Registrars General of the Supreme Court and High Courts, and District & Sessions Judges in Delhi – to ensure widespread awareness of the revocations. Bar Associations have also been requested to prominently display the list of disbarred lawyers. Furthermore, those affected have been directed to return their original nomination certificates and identification cards, solidifying the finality of the decision.
This decisive action by the Delhi Bar Council sends a powerful message: the legal profession demands integrity, and those who attempt to circumvent the rules will face severe consequences. For aspiring lawyers, this serves as a stark reminder of the importance of ethical conduct and the rigorous scrutiny involved in gaining and maintaining a license to practice. The incident also underscores the need for enhanced verification processes within educational institutions and regulatory bodies to prevent similar occurrences in the future. SEO optimization for terms like “legal ethics,” “advocate misconduct,” and “Indian Bar Council” will be crucial for ongoing coverage of this developing story. Stay tuned to Archyde for further updates and in-depth analysis of this Google News-worthy event.
