sekarreporter1: https://x.com/pwilsondmk/status/1934523542277853236?s=46 [16/06, 14:02] sekarreporter1: The summons issued by ED to Mr. Arvind Datar, Senior Counsel to come for

by Sekar Reporter · June 16, 2025

[16/06, 14:02] sekarreporter1:

https://x.com/pwilsondmk/status/1934523542277853236?s=46
[16/06, 14:02] sekarreporter1: The summons issued by ED to Mr. Arvind Datar, Senior Counsel to come for enquiry in Bombay for a legal opinion/ advice tendered by him to a client goes against the basic tenets of attorney-client privilege and the immunity available to lawyers for acts done in the course of their profession. What next? Summons to judges who acquit persons accused by ED? Summons to doctors who treat accused?

If the prosecuting agency can summon a lawyer who tenders legal advice to the accused, that is an attempt to browbeat and threaten the legal practitioner from defending his client. This has a devastating effect on the fundamental right of an accused to access to justice and fair trial and is the hallmark of a dictatorial regime, not a democracy.

The media reports that ED has since withdrawn the summons but I am told that the ED has not formally intimated Mr. Datar of such withdrawal.

In any case, disciplinary action has to be taken against the officer responsible for issuing the summons and the ED must issue strict guidelines to all its officers against summoning lawyers.

I urge the Bar Council of India and all bar associations in the country to take up this issue as it is an assault on our profession and on the fundamental rights of citizens.

ED is not above law.