160 FIRs in 2 years over ‘fake law degrees’, big nexus being run, Bar Council of Delhi tells court

The Indian Express has learnt that out of the nearly 2 lakh advocates enrolled with the BCD, just over 1 lakh have been verified. Over 90,000 verifications are pending as universities have not responded to the BCD.

The submissions were made on Monday by the BCD as ASJ Gupta heard the anticipatory bail plea of J Vasanthan, who hails from Tamil Nadu and has been accused of paying bribes of around Rs 1.5 lakh to get enrolled in the BCD.

Vasanthan, who claims to have an LLB degree from Indian Institute of Professional Studies, had told the court that Delhi-based advocate Arvind Panchal and Jagdish Yadav, a BCD employee, had allegedly asked him to pay Rs 1.45 lakh for the enrolment. Currently, the enrollment fees at the BCD is just Rs 750.

“All my documents were changed by Panchal and Yadav. I’m the victim here. I complained to BCI. I had also surrendered my certificate (of practicing) voluntarily,”said the lawyer who was representing him.

Vasanthan, who got enrolled in the BCD in 2023, was informed on September 18 regarding his suspension due to a “forged” law degree and “fraudulent marksheets”. In November, his licence was suspended after the Bar Council of India (BCI) wrote to the state bar council and directed his removal.

“I immediately gave my complaint to the BCI after I found out about my suspension. My certificates which were used were fake…I’ve been cheated,” he said.

“All the degrees are verified by the Bar Council after speaking to universities. We had sent his LLB degree to Bundelkhand University. They said it was fake. A big nexus is being run here. He can’t speak in Hindi, but the documents he gave were in Hindi. Without his interrogation, the scam won’t be uncovered. He himself said Rs 1 lakh was demanded… this was not fees,” said advocate Neeraj, who was also appearing for the BCD.

Along with advocates Kasana and Neeraj, advocate Narendra Sharma also appeared for the BCD and was assisted by advocates Saurav Kumar and Maroof Khan.

Vasanthan had argued that he had provided “original documents of (Uttar Pradesh-based) Indian Institute of Professional Studies” and not from Bundelkhand University.

“What was your complaint (to the BCI)…this college that you’ve completed your law from is it recognised by the BCI or not?,” the Judge asked Vasanthan.

He responded by saying that at the time of his enrolment, the matter relating to the recognition of the university was subjudice before a court but later, the University Grants Commission had rejected recognition to the university. “So that means any of the degrees that the university gives won’t be recognized as per the UGC,” the Judge said while dismissing Vasanthan’s anticipatory bail.

The Judge in her order said, “…during the course of the arguments, Ld. Counsel had admitted that he has not done graduation in Law from Bundelkhand University but has studied from Bhartiya Shiksha Parishad, Uttar Pradesh and as on date the same has not been recognised by the Education Department as the University affiliated and recognised to give law degrees.”

“Considering the totality of facts and circumstances and taking note of the serious allegations not just against the applicant herein but others named in the investigation who run a syndicate in facilitating enrollment in Bar Council(s) on the basis of fake documents, in order to unearth the conspiracy behind and to reach out to other members of the syndicate, custodial interrogation of the applicant may be needed,” she added.

Earlier last month, BCD employee Yadav was granted interim protection till December 23 in the case.

On November 23, an FIR was registered based on the complaint of BCD Secretary Colonel Arun Sharma at Hauz Khas police station against Yadav and Panchal. According to the FIR, Yadav “demanded and received substantial sums of money from Vasanthan to facilitate his enrolment with the BCD, based on an allegedly forged LLB degree and mark sheets”.