“Thousands Are Fraudulent”: CJI Surya Kant Calls For CBI Probe Into Fake Law Degrees Of Lawyers

In a sharp courtroom observation on Friday, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant raised serious concerns over the presence of allegedly fake lawyers in Delhi and indicated that a CBI probe may be required to verify the authenticity of their law degrees.

The remarks came during the hearing of an application filed by an advocate against the Delhi High Court regarding senior designation. A Bench comprising CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi refused to entertain the plea and criticised the repeated petitions being filed on the issue.

During the hearing, the Chief Justice expressed concern about the conduct and online activities of certain lawyers practising in Delhi courts, especially at Tis Hazari. He said the judiciary was closely watching the behaviour of such individuals on social media and questioned whether many of them genuinely possessed valid law degrees.

“I am waiting for some matter…I want the CBI to verify the LLB degrees of most of the Delhi people…in Tis Hazari so and so…the kind of Facebook and things they are putting….do they think we are not watching?” the CJI remarked in court.

The Chief Justice also made strong comments against the Bar Council of India, stating that the regulatory body could not be expected to take action against such lawyers. According to him, the BCI was allegedly working “hands in glove” with those involved.

“BCI will not do anything…thousands of them are fraudulent people who are wearing black robes…I have serious doubts on the genuineness of their law degrees. Probably CBI will have to do something. BCI will never do, because they are hands in glove, they are absolutely in collusion,” he stated.

The Bench also expressed displeasure over what it described as increasing attacks on the judiciary by certain sections of society. The Chief Justice observed that some individuals who fail to establish themselves professionally later turn into social media commentators or activists and begin targeting institutions.

“There are already parasites of society who attack the system and you want to join hands with them? There are youngsters like cockroaches, who don’t get any employment and don’t have any place in profession,” the CJI observed during the hearing.

The Court further remarked that some people become “media”, “social media”, or “RTI activists” and begin criticising everyone without responsibility. The Bench cautioned lawyers against associating with such conduct and filing unnecessary contempt petitions.

While dismissing the advocate’s application relating to senior designation, the Court reiterated that senior designation is a recognition conferred by the Court and cannot be claimed as a matter of legal entitlement through repeated litigation.

The remarks of the Chief Justice have sparked fresh discussions around professional standards in the legal profession, regulation of advocates, and the need for stricter scrutiny of law degrees and enrolment procedures across the country.