Conman 'judge' arrested in India for running fake court

Christian promised people in Gujarat swift rulings on land disputes in exchange for a heavy fee in an office furnished to look like a genuine court

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Morris Samuel Christian was jailed for three months in 2007 for practising as a lawyer despite the state's bar council saying he had no valid law degree. — Courtesy social media

By AFP

Published: Wed 23 Oct 2024, 6:16 PM

Last updated: Wed 23 Oct 2024, 6:17 PM

Indian police have arrested an alleged conman accused of spending nearly five years pretending to be a judge and ruling on various disputes in a fake tribunal he set up himself.

Morris Samuel Christian promised people in the western state of Gujarat swift rulings on land disputes in exchange for a heavy fee, presiding over cases in an office furnished to look like a genuine court, according to a document issued by a local judge.

Christian, who is in his 40s, appeared in actual court on Tuesday on charges of impersonation, cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy, broadcaster India Today reported.

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The alleged fraud came to light when a resident in the state's Ahmedabad city approached a real court regarding a land trade worth a billion dollars.

"(Christian) created a fake tribunal...creating the atmosphere of a court by keeping lawyers present, by behaving like a judge...and by making it all appear as real court proceedings," Ahmedabad city court Judge J. L. Chovatiya said in a written order.

This is not Christian's first run-in with law enforcement.

He was jailed for three months in 2007 for practising as a lawyer despite the state's bar council saying he had no valid law degree.

AFP

Published: Wed 23 Oct 2024, 6:16 PM

Last updated: Wed 23 Oct 2024, 6:17 PM

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