India: Kerala HC Reserves Decision on Anticipatory Bail of Fake Lawyer

The Kerala High Court today delved into the anticipatory bail application following the dramatic incidents where Sessy Xavier, a woman masquerading as an “Advocate” with fake enrolment credentials and so on, was found. The 27-year-old, despite having no valid credentials, had somehow worked her way through to setting up a practice. However, the masquerading had to conclude in serious charges being brought against her. She was initially charged with cheating under Sections 417 (penalty for cheating) and 419 (punishment for cheating by personation) of the Indian Penal Code, both of which are bailable offences. Following that, non-bailable offences punishable under 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) were added. She had initially surrendered before the magistrate hoping to get released on bail. However, when she realised there are non-bailable charges, she fled the court in a dramatic turn of events.