Sanjeev Nasiar Challenges Removal from Bar Council of Delhi in Delhi HC, BCI Order Halted
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New Delhi, Dec 9 (NationPress) Advocate Sanjeev Nasiar has petitioned the Delhi High Court to contest his removal from the position of Vice Chairman of the Bar Council of Delhi.
On Monday, his petition was presented before Acting Chief Justice (ACJ) Vibhu Bakhru for an expedited hearing. ACJ Bakhru directed that the case be brought before a bench led by Justice Sanjeev Narula.
The bench under Justice Narula issued a temporary order in Nasiar’s favor, suspending the contested decision made by the Bar Council of India (BCI).
The case is scheduled to be heard again in the second to last week of January next year. Meanwhile, the Delhi HC has instructed the BCI to submit its response to Nasiar's petition.
The BCI, in a statement released on Sunday, disclosed Nasiar’s removal following an investigation that uncovered “significant and glaring discrepancies” regarding his law degree from Devi Ahilyabai Vishvavidyalaya in Indore.
The BCI has also requested an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the “authenticity of his LL.B. (Hons) degree” and the “potential fabrication of related records”.
This decision comes after an inquiry conducted by a sub-committee formed in September of this year, following the Delhi High Court's directives. The sub-committee concluded that the credibility of Nasiar’s LL.B (Hons) degree is “highly questionable”.
“The inspection of P.M.B. Gujarati Arts and Law College, Indore, revealed that the college was not authorized to offer an LL.B. (Hons) Course during the relevant period. The academic records presented to the sub-committee appeared to be tampered with or forged, exhibiting uniform handwriting and ink consistency over an extended period. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the LL.B. (Hons) program was only introduced under the Bar Council of India regulations in 2008, making the degree in question, allegedly issued in 1988, inconsistent with regulatory standards,” stated the BCI's press release.
The lack of cooperation and obstructive behavior from university officials during the inquiry further raised serious concerns regarding the degree's authenticity, the press release added.
“While the investigation is ongoing, Sanjeev Nasiar has been removed from his role as Vice Chairman of the Bar Council of Delhi. This action is necessary to protect the integrity and dignity of the legal profession and to maintain public trust in it,” the BCI resolution stated.
The BCI is committed to preserving the prestige and respect of the legal profession and is determined to uphold its sanctity, ensuring that only individuals meeting the highest standards of ethics and qualifications are allowed to practice law in India, the resolution further noted.
