Sesi Xavier (28), who served as a lawyer using forged documents, finally surrendered at Alappuzha First Class Magistrate Court after almost two years on the run. She went underground after a forgery case was registered against her in 2021. The lady scammer is a native of Ramankary village in the Kuttanad region of Alappuzha and became a Bar Association member in 2018.
Xavier had been practicing as a lawyer using someone else’s entitlement number without obtaining a law degree. She even won the Bar Association elections and was appointed as an Advocate Commissioner in many cases. The lady practiced using the roll number of Sangeeta, a native of Thiruvananthapuram.
The fraud was brought to light based on an anonymous letter that accused Xavier of practicing law using fake documents. Based on the letter, the bar association asked Xavier to prove her eligibility. She refused to provide her certificates and was expelled from the Bar Association. They also filed a complaint with the police.
Earlier, the Kerala High Court rejected her anticipatory bail plea. The court directed the fraudster to appear before the investigating officer for questioning immediately. This was way back in September 2021, when Xavier had absconded for months. Police then issued a lookout notice against the fake lawyer but to no avail.
Back then, it became clear that she had practiced without a law degree. A case was registered against Xavier based on a complaint filed by the Alappuzha Bar Association. The High Court pronounced its judgment in a postponed case several times. The court clarified that there was no obstacle to arresting her, yet she evaded Kerala police for so long.
The fraudster even argued in court that she did not impersonate anyone, and the fraud charges against her would not stand. But the court did not accept this and rejected her anticipatory bail application. Police registered a case, and Xavier reportedly arrived at the Alappuzha court to surrender.
When it became clear that she had been charged with non-bailable charges, including impersonation and fraud, she escaped from the court premises. This incident happened on 22 July 2021. She fled through the back gate, got into her car, and has been missing ever since.
Xavier was charged with cheating, impersonation, and theft. At first, she claimed she studied law in Thiruvananthapuram. Later she lied that she completed his studies in Bengaluru. This was when the Bar Association found out Xavier was unqualified and expelled her from the organization.
Back in 2021, Christian crimes serial justifier Malayala Manorama tried their best to whitewash Xavier’s crimes. They interviewed her parents and even put words in their mouths. As expected, they claimed someone had ‘trapped’ the innocent lady from a low-income family.
Xavier was remanded till 8 May and shifted to Mavelikkara jail. Crime Branch is investigating whether she indulged in other crimes. Who helped her remain out of sight for so long remains unknown. How many such fake lawyers are practicing in our courts, too, remains a mystery.
