BCI chairperson says 35-40 per cent of advocates are using fake law degrees

As much as 35 to 40 per cent of advocates are practising in courts with fake degree certificates, the Bar Council of India (BCI) chairperson, senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra, has said. He also said that the BCI is well aware of the issue, adding that it has initiated the process to address the issue.

BCI flags fake degree concern

"The Bar Council of India is aware that around 35 to 40 per cent of those seen in court complexes wearing black coats and bands are fake. Their degrees are absolutely fake; they manufactured them somewhere or bought them from somewhere, and on that basis, they are practising in courts," the BCI Chairperson told IANS.

Also Read: CJI Surya Kant says some unemployed youth are ‘like cockroaches’, links them to media, activism

Elaborating as to how the BCI arrived at the conclusion, Mishra said that the matter came to light when the bar council initiated the process of verification of degrees, and 40 per cent of advocates did not fill up the verification form, adding that it was these 40 per cent who are suspected to be fake.

Mishra said that the matter has been brought the matter to the attention of the Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant. The BCI chairperson made the revelation while commenting on the 'Cockroach Janata Party' social media movement, which started after an oral remark by the CJI.

CJI’s remarks and legal profession

He said that the CJI’s remarks were meant for the youngsters who join professions with fake degrees. "The Chief Justice was referring to those who obtain fake degrees, wear black coats, bands, and robes, and appear in court. That statement was about them. The background of that situation was different," said Mishra.

Also Read: CJI Surya Kant clarifies ‘cockroaches’ remark, says youth not the target

The CJI made the remarks last week while expressing his displeasure with a lawyer who had filed a petition regarding senior advocate designations. The CJI expressed doubts about the authenticity of the law degrees held by several advocates.

The CJI had said that he did not expect the Bar Council of India to act on the matter, adding that he was thinking of asking the CBI to verify the degrees. The CJI further stated that there was a section of unemployed youngsters like “cockroaches’” who resort to attack every system under the guise of activism.

Clarification after online backlash

However, following online controversy over his remark, the CJI clarified that his observations had been wrongly interpreted and projected as a comment against the country's youth.

He said his criticism was directed at individuals entering professions with fake qualifications, particularly in the legal field. “I am pained to read how a section of the media has misquoted my oral observations made during the hearing of a frivolous case yesterday. What I had specifically criticised were those who have entered professions like the Bar (legal profession) with the aid of fake and bogus degrees,” stated the CJI.