The Supreme Court on Friday (October 31, 2025) in a judgment held that lawyers cannot be summoned for questioning by law enforcement agencies, like the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), for professional advice given to their clients on legal issues.

A Bench of Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and K. Vinod Chandran said advocates could be summoned by the agencies only in exceptional situations enumerated in Section 132 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA).

Section 132 of the BSA mandates that a lawyer cannot be compelled to reveal confidential and professional communication, advice or documents shared with clients without the express consent of the latter. However, Justice Chandran, who pronounced the judgment for the Bench, noted the privilege was not absolute, and would not

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