Christian, who had been operating the tribunal inside the city civil court, managed to deceive many people by convincing them that his 'court' was legitimate. His operation focused primarily on land dispute cases, offering fraudulent settlements to people desperate to resolve their legal battles. Authorities estimate that the fake court had been in operation for at least five years, and Christian had established a reputation as a self-styled arbitrator during this period.
The suspect has been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including Section 170, which pertains to impersonating a public servant, and Section 419, which deals with cheating by personation. The police further noted that Christian falsely claimed to be empowered by official legal authority to mediate and resolve disputes, luring victims with promises of quick resolutions to complex legal matters.
Upon his arrest, it became evident that Christian's operation was meticulously planned. He went to great lengths to maintain the appearance of legitimacy, even holding hearings in an actual courtroom. The setup was convincing enough to fool not only the victims but also some within the legal community. Christian's 'orders' were taken at face value by several people, some of whom had no idea they were engaging in fraudulent proceedings. Many of his victims were vulnerable individuals facing long-standing legal disputes, eager for a resolution outside the formal, often slow, judicial process.
The exposure of this scam has raised broader concerns about security and oversight within the judicial system, especially regarding access to court premises and the potential for exploitation. Authorities are now investigating how Christian managed to carry out his activities undetected for such a long period, as well as whether others may have been involved in the operation. The city's legal fraternity has expressed shock at the revelations, with many calling for tighter security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Several victims have come forward in the aftermath of Christian’s arrest, recounting their interactions with his fake tribunal. Some described how they were led to believe that Christian was a legitimate mediator who could expedite the resolution of their cases. His alleged ability to offer quick and favorable judgments made him particularly attractive to those involved in protracted legal battles. However, the fraudulent nature of his rulings has now left these individuals in a legal limbo, with their cases potentially having to be re-litigated in proper courts.
Christian's arrest has drawn significant public attention, not only due to the audacity of his scam but also because of the implications for judicial integrity in the region. Officials are taking steps to address the situation, including a thorough review of security protocols and an investigation into how such a brazen scheme could have operated within a legitimate judicial space.