Radhika Mittal
During a hearing on January 24, 2025, Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, along with Justices Sanjay Kumar and K.V. Viswanathan, highlighted the necessity for an expedited verification process of advocates’ qualifications. The Supreme Court of India has expressed serious concerns regarding the rampant issue of fake lawyers, which has persisted for nearly a decade.
With an estimated 1.5 million advocates in India, alarming reports suggest that nearly 20% may lack valid legal credentials. The Court criticized the Bar Council of India (BCI) for its sluggish verification efforts initiated in 2015, emphasizing that this process cannot continue indefinitely. BCI counsel R. Balasubramanian noted that the verification is conducted state-wise, which is contributing to delays.
The Supreme Court has mandated the BCI to submit a comprehensive status report within eight weeks to ensure the integrity of the legal profession and protect litigants from fraudulent practices. This directive follows a previous order in April 2023, where a High-Powered Committee was established to oversee these verifications.
Case Name: Bar Council of India v. Poonam Ashok Goud
Diary Number: 54008/2023
Bench: CJI Sanjiv Khanna, Justices Sanjay Kumar and K.V. Viswanathan