The Bar Council of India (BCI) has removed Sanjeev Nasiar from the post of Bar Council of Delhi's vice chairman and has called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the authenticity of his LL.B. (Hons.) degree. Nasiar, who also leads the legal cell of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), is under scrutiny following allegations of possessing a fabricated law degree. Nasiar, who is also the president of Aam Aadmi Party's legal cell, holds a law degree from Devi Ahilya Bai Vishwavidyalaya, Indore.
In a meeting held on December 7, 2024, the BCI resolved to take decisive action regarding irregularities in the LL.B. (Hons.) degree purportedly issued to Nasiar by Devi Ahilyabai Vishvavidyalaya, Indore. This decision stems from an inquiry conducted by a sub-committee formed on September 3, 2024, in response to directives from the Delhi High Court.
In a release issued on Sunday, the BCI said, "The sub-committee constituted by the BCI, after a thorough enquiry, concluded that the authenticity of the LLB (Hons) degree of Sanjeev Nasiar is highly questionable." It said the BCI's general council had resolved to adopt the committee's report and the BCI secretary had been directed to approach the CBI, requesting it to probe the degree's authenticity.
"Pending the outcome of the investigation, Sanjeev Nasiar is removed from the position of vice chairman, Bar Council of Delhi," said the release signed by BCI secretary Srimanto Sen.
The non-cooperation and obstructive behavior of university officials during the inquiry further cast serious doubts on the authenticity of the degree. Consequently, the sub-committee concluded that the legitimacy of Nasiar’s LL.B. (Hons.) degree is highly questionable.
It said the measure was necessary to safeguard the integrity and dignity of the legal profession and ensure public confidence in it. "The BCI is conscientious to uphold the prestige and honour of the legal profession and remains resolute in its resolve to uphold its sanctity to ensure that only those meeting the highest standards of ethics and qualifications are permitted to practice law in India," the release said.
This development follows a series of legal challenges concerning Nasiar’s qualifications. In August 2024, the Delhi High Court dismissed a petition seeking his removal, noting that the verification report from the concerned university stated his law degree is genuine.
The plea, filed by Naresh Chand Gupta, former President of the Delhi Bar Association, sought a writ of quo warranto against Nasiar. Gupta alleged that Nasiar was enrolled with the Bar Council of Delhi (BCD) using a forged and fabricated LLB degree. Gupta requested that the BCD and the Bar Council of India (BCI) remove Nasiar and another advocate, Dalip Kumar Rana, from the roll of advocates and file an FIR against them for their alleged involvement in a “racket.”