The Gujarat High Court has turned down the anticipatory bail application of a female LLB student accused of defrauding several victims out of approximately ₹80 lakh. The court’s single-judge bench expressed concern, stating that the “noble profession of advocacy cannot be allowed to be tarnished in such a like manner.”
The court emphasized the necessity for custodial interrogation to fully investigate the allegations, identify other individuals involved, and trace additional victims. This case originated from an FIR filed at Kadi Police Station in Mehsana district. It cites various offenses under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including criminal breach of trust and cheating.
During proceedings, the Additional Public Prosecutor revealed that investigators discovered several incriminating items linked to the applicant. These included an identity card from the Bar Council of Gujarat bearing her enrollment number, a nameplate identifying her as an advocate for the Supreme Court, and seals from police stations along with notary documents.
Authorities also reported new complainants coming forward after the FIR was registered, pushing the total amount allegedly embezzled closer to ₹80 lakh.
The applicant is currently a final-semester LLB student working as a junior intern. She claims she knew nothing about these alleged crimes. Her legal counsel pointed out that the complaint was filed on February 1, 2026—long after incidents supposedly took place between January 22, 2025, and February 1, 2026—and argued it lacked justification for its delay.
The defense maintained she never submitted any vakalatnama or represented clients in court; instead, she primarily dealt with revenue-related tasks. They suggested her intentions were benign—merely attempting to assist a client with disputes.
Despite these arguments, the court found them unconvincing. It noted serious allegations indicated by existing evidence warranted further investigation into potential conspiracies behind these claims.