Morris Samuel Christian (inset) posed as a judge to charge his victims large amounts of money. ARCHIVE

Indian police have arrested Morris Samuel Christian, a man accused of posing as a judge and operating a fake tribunal in Gujarat for nearly five years. Christian, who charged exorbitant fees for resolving land disputes, presided over cases in an office set up to mimic a real court, according to local authorities. Christian was arrested following a complaint filed by a resident of Ahmedabad, who became suspicious after being asked to pay large sums for paperwork. Investigators discovered that Christian had falsely claimed to be a retired judge, settling disputes while forging documents and legal orders. “This was an elaborate scheme. He went to great lengths to create a façade, even dressing as a judge and holding ‘court’ in a fabricated office,” said Inspector General Ravi Mehta, “This is one of the more unusual cases we’ve encountered, but it shows how resourceful criminals can be.” Christian’s fake court, which handled civil cases such as property disputes, was reportedly run from a nondescript office building. Victims were promised fast-tracked resolutions in exchange for hefty fees, with some individuals losing millions of rupees in the process. Authorities are now investigating how many cases Christian handled and whether any of his accomplices are still at large. They are urging anyone who may have been affected to come forward and file a formal complaint. ICA/Expat Media
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