Fake Degree Enrolment: BCI Orders Immediate Removal of Advocate, flags collusion within Bar Council of Delhi
Pranav B Prem
The Bar Council of India (BCI) has ordered the immediate removal of a Delhi-based advocate, J. Vasanthan, from the rolls after it was found that he had secured enrolment using a forged LL.B. degree and fabricated mark sheets. In a strongly worded decision, the BCI also expressed serious concern over what it termed an “exceptional case” involving collusion between touts, intermediaries and insiders within the Bar Council of Delhi (BCD).
The proceedings began after Bundelkhand University, Jhansi, formally notified the BCD that the LL.B. documents submitted by Vasanthan during enrolment were not genuine. The BCD conducted a preliminary inquiry and referred the matter to the BCI. Vasanthan did not respond initially to the show-cause notice. In a subsequent reply, however, he admitted that his enrolment had been obtained “through touts and intermediaries” and that he had used forged documents. He further alleged that certain private individuals and a BCD staff member assisted him in the process in exchange for money.
The BCI’s scrutiny revealed that the matter extended well beyond one individual using a fake degree. The Sub-Committee recorded material suggesting that forged enrolment records and academic papers were being generated with insider involvement. The press release notes that documents were allegedly created in collusion with a broker and Advocate Arbind Panchal, as well as a long-serving BCD employee named Jagdish, who had continued in service even after superannuation.
Finding the allegations credible and serious, the BCI concluded that Vasanthan’s enrolment was void ab initio. It directed the Bar Council of Delhi to strike off his name from the State roll with immediate effect and issue a public notification. The BCI also directed that all connected facts be placed on record for potential criminal, civil or disciplinary proceedings.
The Council further took note of the possibility of a wider organised network involved in forging educational qualifications and facilitating illegal enrolments. It stated that “similar instances cannot be ruled out”, given that the implicated staffer had been associated with the BCD for more than two decades. The BCD has since removed Jagdish from service. His removal is without prejudice to further proceedings arising from the inquiry.
In addition, the BCI directed the BCD to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into all suspicious or irregular enrolments, particularly those linked with Jagdish, Panchal or any other intermediaries. It also instructed the BCD to issue notices to the two advocates who had issued the moral character certificate for Vasanthan and to take appropriate action after verifying whether they were aware of any wrongdoing.
Reaffirming its statutory duty under the Advocates Act, the BCI stressed that the integrity of the enrolment process forms the bedrock of the legal profession. It warned that any attempt to infiltrate the rolls with forged degrees or collusive practices would be treated as grave professional misconduct. The Council emphasised that such conduct would be dealt with “sternly and without any leniency” to protect the credibility and sanctity of the legal system.
The BCI ordered the removal of advocate J. Vasanthan from the rolls with immediate effect, directed issuance of a public notification, mandated a detailed inquiry by the Bar Council of Delhi into all suspicious enrolments, removed the implicated staff member from service, and instructed that further disciplinary or legal proceedings be initiated wherever necessary. The Council reiterated that fraudulent entry into the profession will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
