Lawyer Struck Off for Organizing Sham Marriages

Mathew Moghan Rajamohan Chellam, a lawyer qualified in India, has been struck off from practicing in the UK by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) for his involvement in organizing sham marriages to help migrants settle in Europe. He faced charges of fraudulent applications and has been ordered to pay costs.

Mathew Moghan Rajamohan Chellam, a 44-year-old lawyer qualified in India, has been struck off from practicing in the UK by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). This decision follows his conviction eight years ago for orchestrating sham marriages to facilitate migrant settlement in Europe.

Chellam faced charges of fraudulent applications, with a disciplinary tribunal concluding that he knew or should have known his actions breached public protection and legal profession standards. The tribunal's ruling, dated July 5, disclosed that Chellam has returned to India, with his current address unknown.

The Tribunal ordered Chellam to be struck off the Roll of Solicitors, imposing a cost of GBP 4,058. The tribunal highlighted Chellam's monetary motives and carefully planned actions, including sham marriages, deeming his culpability extremely high. Convicted in 2016 of assisting unlawful immigration, providing immigration advice, and deception, Chellam was sentenced to eight years in prison. His actions significantly harmed the legal profession's reputation.