Advocate-Client Privilege

The Delhi High Court held advocate-client privilege cannot bar a probe into a lawyer's own conduct. The Supreme Court has now stayed that ruling in the Puneet Batra GST search case.

The Supreme Court ruled that investigators cannot search or seize a lawyer’s digital devices without prior judicial approval, emphasizing the need to protect advocate-client privilege and prevent investigative overreach into confidential professional communications.

The Supreme Court restricted the issuance of ex-parte summons to lawyers and reiterated that advocate-client communications are privileged, reinforcing that legal professionals must not be compelled to disclose client information without due judicial process.