Bhubaneswar, May 23 -- The Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra made a startling claim, alleging that nearly 35 to 40% of lawyers practising in courts across India are 'fake' and may have obtained their law degrees through fraudulent means.

Speaking during an interview with a news agency, Mishra expressed serious concern over the growing presence of unverified and allegedly unqualified legal practitioners in the country's judicial system. He claimed that many individuals practising law either purchased fake certificates or managed to secure academic credentials through improper channels.

According to Mishra, the Bar Council of India had recently initiated a nationwide verification drive to scrutinise the educational qu...