The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of investigative agencies summoning lawyers during criminal investigations and will frame guidelines to protect lawyer-client privilege and professional independence. A bench led by CJI D.Y. Chandrachud will hear the matter on July 14. The move follows concerns after the ED summoned Senior Advocates Arvind Datar and Pratap Venugopal, later withdrawing the notices amid backlash. Bar associations urged intervention, warning of a “chilling effect” on legal practice. The Court’s guidelines are expected to safeguard legal confidentiality and uphold the autonomy of the legal profession.
