Supreme Court annuls bail granted in alleged fake LL.B. degree and academic forgery racket case (2026 INSC 144).
SUPREME COURT CANCELS BAIL IN FAKE LL.B. DEGREE RACKET CASE
CASE SUMMARY – In Zeba Khan vs. State of U.P. & Others (2026 INSC 144), the Supreme Court of India annulled a High Court order granting bail to an accused allegedly involved in forging an LL.B. degree and operating an organized fake academic certificate racket. The Court held that the High Court ignored crucial evidence, including university communications denying issuance of the degree and suppression of nine criminal cases. Emphasizing that appellate courts can annul perverse bail orders without requiring supervening circumstances, the Court distinguished between cancellation and appeal against grant of bail. While cancelling bail, the Court declined transfer of investigation as chargesheet had already been filed.
| ASPECTS | DETAILS |
| Case Title | Zeba Khan vs. State of U.P. & Others |
| Introduction | Appeal against grant of bail to Respondent accused of forging LL.B. degree and running an organized fake academic qualification racket. |
| Factual Background | FIR No. 314/2024 alleged fabrication of LL.B. degree purportedly from Sarvodaya Group of Institutions affiliated to Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University. University denied affiliation and issuance of degree. Accused allegedly used forged degree to practice as advocate and facilitate fake degrees for others. |
| Legal Issues |
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| Applicable Law |
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| Analysis | SC held High Court ignored material evidence, criminal antecedents (9 FIRs), university communications, and suppression of facts. Bail order found perverse and legally unsustainable. Distinction reiterated between cancellation and annulment of bail. |
| Conclusion | Bail granted by High Court set aside. Investigation transfer denied as chargesheet already filed and no exceptional circumstances shown. |
| Current Scenario | Respondent’s enrolment removed by Bar Council; trial to proceed; bail cancelled by Supreme Court. |
“Bail discretion must align with judicial discipline; suppression of criminal antecedents vitiates liberty.”
SOURCE – SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
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