The Bar Council of India (BCI) has removed 107 fake advocates from the Roll of Advocates in Delhi between 2019 and October 2024, maintaining the integrity of the legal profession.

This action, taken under Rule 32 of the Bar Council of India Certificate and Place of Practice (Verification) Rules, 2015, targets individuals who falsified credentials or no longer meet professional standards.

A June 23, 2023 amendment to Rule 32 strengthened BCI’s verification process, allowing it to more effectively identify and disqualify unqualified advocates. Before this amendment, BCI had already conducted investigations that disqualified several thousand advocates for using forged documents, misrepresenting qualifications, failing to engage actively in law practice, or not complying with verification requirements.

Following the amendment, BCI’s efforts have become more efficient. Investigations are carried out with the assistance of a High-Powered Committee appointed by the Supreme Court in the case of Ajay Shanker Srivastava vs. Bar Council of India & Anr.

Some cases involving forgery were pending before the rule change, while others have been addressed post-amendment. 

The recent disqualifications include 50 advocates removed since the amendment. Many advocates, anticipating disqualification, have preemptively surrendered their enrollment certificates. BCI has urged State Bar Councils to scrutinize these surrenders carefully to ensure compliance and prevent misuse.