Bar Council Chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra Raises Claims 35-40% Practising Advocates May Have Fake Degrees

The remarks made by Bar Council of India Chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra have raised serious concerns about the authenticity of law degrees among practising advocates in India. He claimed that nearly 35-40% of people appearing in courts as advocates may be using fake law degrees and fabricated certificates.

Speaking to news agency IANS, Mishra said the Bar Council of India had already started a degree verification process. According to him, around 40% of advocates failed to submit verification forms during this exercise. He stated that these individuals are now under suspicion for possessing fake educational qualifications.

Mishra said many people allegedly obtained fake degrees by purchasing or manufacturing certificates and then entered court practice by wearing advocates’ robes and bands. He added that the issue had already been brought to the notice of the Chief Justice of India.

The statement came during a discussion surrounding the “Cockroach Janata Party” social media controversy linked to recent oral remarks made by Surya Kant. The Chief Justice had recently criticised certain litigants and lawyers while hearing a matter related to senior advocate designations.

During that hearing, the CJI expressed concern about the increasing number of fake law degrees in the legal profession. He had orally remarked that some unemployed youngsters attack institutions in the name of activism and compared them to “cockroaches.” The observation triggered strong reactions online and led to widespread debate.

Clarifying the controversy, Mishra stated that the Chief Justice’s comments were directed at individuals entering the legal profession with fraudulent degrees. He explained that the remarks were not aimed at genuine unemployed youth, but at those allegedly misusing fake qualifications to practise law and file petitions before courts.

The CJI had also indicated during the hearing that the Bar Council of India was not taking sufficient action against fake advocates. He reportedly observed that he was considering asking the Central Bureau of Investigation to conduct an investigation into the authenticity of law degrees held by practising lawyers.

The revelations have sparked renewed discussion about the regulation of legal education and enrolment processes in India. Questions are now being raised about how individuals with allegedly fake qualifications were able to enrol with State Bar Councils and continue practising before courts without proper scrutiny.