The Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra has given a statement to IANS India that nearly 35–40% of persons practising as advocates have fake degrees who failed to participate in the nationwide verification process initiated by the Bar Council of India.
He Mishra said the Bar Council had begun a verification exercise requiring advocates to submit degree certificates and verification for. However, according to him, a significant percentage of persons claiming to be lawyers never submitted their verification forms.
“माननीय मुख्य न्यायाधीश ने जो फर्जी डिग्री लेकर काला कोट पहन के, बैंड लगा के, रोब लगा के कोर्ट में अपियर होते हैं, उनके बारे में कहा था। उसका जो बैकग्राउंड था, वो अलग था। देखिए, बार काउंसिल ऑफ इंडिया को ये मालूम है कि लगभग 35-40% जो काला कोट पहन के, बैंड लगा के कोर्ट कैंपस में घूम रहे हैं, उनमें से 40% लोग फर्जी हैं। उनकी डिग्री एकदम नकली है, कहीं न कहीं से उन्होंने manufacture की है या खरीदी है, उसकी बदौलत वो कोर्ट में जा रहे हैं।”
Speaking about the measures taken by the Bar Council of India, Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra said that the BCI had initiated a nationwide verification process seeking advocates’ degrees and verification forms. According to him, nearly 40% of the suspected fake lawyers did not submit the verification forms.
He further stated that the issue had earlier been brought to the notice of then Chief Justice of India Justice DY Chandrachud, following which a committee under the chairmanship of Former Justice Justice Deepak Gupta was constituted. He added that the same issue was subsequently brought before the current CJI Surya Kant as well.
Referring to the recent oral observations made by CJI Surya Kant regarding fake degree holders practising in courts, the BCI Chairperson said the remarks were made specifically in the context of fraudulent practitioners.
“माननीय मुख्य न्यायाधीश ने जो फर्जी डिग्री लेकर काला कोट पहन के, बैंड लगा के, रोब लगा के कोर्ट में अपियर होते हैं, उनके बारे में कहा था। उसका जो बैकग्राउंड था, वो अलग था।”
He further stated that the CJI had remarked that such people with fake degrees are “parasites”, are “polluting the atmosphere,” and are “a huge burden on society.” He added that if someone becomes a lawyer or doctor on the basis of a fake degree, it directly harms society, especially educated unemployed youth.
“अगर कोई फर्जी डिग्री लेकर वकील या डॉक्टर बने, तो ये सीधे समाज को नुकसान पहुंचा रहा है।”