Fake claims: SC raps UP Bar Council for shielding lawyers

One-liner: The Supreme Court on Wednesday rapped the UP Bar Council for shielding advocates in a matter of fake claim petitions of thousands of crores involving lawyers even as the BCI said it has suspended 28 lawyers in the state for such cases.

Prima facie case: A bench said filing of fake claims is a serious matter and prima facie (on the face of it) case is being made out against certain advocates in the FIR.

• The counsel for the Bar Council of India (BCI) apprised the court that it has notified its decision to suspend 28 lawyers in UP for indulging in malpractices of filing fake claim cases
• The top court said there can't be negligence on the part of the police in investigating the matter and it should probe it from all possible angles

Court warning: The bench also warned that if it finds out that the probe was conducted in order to save someone, then there will be consequences.

• It is the duty of the Bar Council of the State and the Bar Council of India to maintain the dignity and restore the glory of the legal profession 
• In the present case, unfortunately, the Bar Council of UP is not at all serious and is insensitive, the bench had said.

Background: The SC had earlier said the Special Investigative Team was constituted pursuant to the order passed by the Allahabad HC for conducting the probe into the cases related to causing a loss in crores of rupees to insurance firms.

Source: PTI