Gujarat High Court Rejects Bail Plea Of Law Student Accused Of Posing As Advocate In ₹80 Lakh Fraud Case

The Gujarat High Court has denied anticipatory bail to a law student accused of posing as an advocate and allegedly participating in a fraud involving nearly ₹80 lakh. Justice P. M. Raval rejected the plea filed by Sadhu Falguni Miteshkumar in connection with an FIR registered at Kadi Police Station, Mehsana, under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

According to the prosecution, the applicant, who is still pursuing her LL.B. degree, falsely projected herself as a practising advocate and allegedly participated with other accused persons in swindling approximately ₹80 lakh from several victims. During the investigation, police reportedly recovered visiting cards identifying her as an advocate, a board describing her as an “Advocate, Supreme Court of India,” a purported Bar Council identity card bearing an enrolment number, notarial seals, police station seals, registers containing case details, and other materials allegedly used to portray herself as a legal practitioner.

The applicant argued that she had been falsely implicated and claimed she only assisted in document and revenue-related work under her advocate relative. She also contended that she had never filed a vakalatnama or appeared before any court.

Rejecting the plea, the High Court observed that the “noble profession of advocacy cannot be allowed to be tarnished in such a manner” and held that custodial interrogation was necessary to investigate the alleged conspiracy, identify additional victims, and trace the siphoned funds.

The Court further refused to stay its order to enable the applicant to approach the Supreme Court.