Did SC Order CBI Investigation into Advocate's Allegedly Forged Degree?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Supreme Court orders CBI to probe degree authenticity.
- Allegations of forgery raised against an advocate.
- Letter from Magadh University claims the documents are forged.
- Next hearing set for December 9.
- CBI report due by November 30.
New Delhi, Sep 18 (NationPress) The Supreme Court has mandated the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate the legitimacy of a bachelor’s degree held by an advocate amid claims of forgery.
The ruling was issued by a panel of Justices Manoj Misra and Ujjal Bhuyan after the submissions disputing the Bar Council of India Disciplinary Committee’s ruling included a correspondence from Magadh University’s Controller of Examinations, which indicated that the advocate’s mark sheet and degree certificate were forged and not issued by the University.
“Annexure A3… is a letter from the Controller of Examination, Magadh University, Bodh Gaya, stating that the copy of the Marksheet and Degree certificate for Naresh Dilawari (Roll-PAT-16335, Regd No. 2870/88, B.Com. Accounts (Hons.), Examination 1991) upon investigation was found to be forged and not issued by the University,” noted the apex court’s ruling on Monday.
Conversely, the petitioner-advocate submitted a photocopy of the degree that he claimed was awarded to him for completing the Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) three-year program conducted in August 1991 by Magadh University.
He further contended that the records at Magadh University had been destroyed, hence the authenticity of the degree could not be verified through the existing files.
After reviewing the arguments, the Supreme Court remarked that the situation necessitated an independent investigation.
“Given that a question about the authenticity of a degree has emerged, we find it suitable to request the Central Bureau of Investigation, Delhi to conduct the inquiry and determine whether the degree presented by the petitioner, claiming to have completed the B.Com examination from Magadh University in 1991, is genuine or forged,” stated the order from the Justice Misra-led Bench.
The apex court instructed that a copy of its directive be forwarded to the CBI Director in Delhi, who is required to assign an officer to investigate the case and report back by November 30.
The case is scheduled for another hearing on December 9.