The Supreme Court on Thursday set aside summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to two senior lawyers, and laid down guidelines restricting probe agencies from calling advocates for questioning over legal advice given to clients.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justices K Vinod Chandran and N V Anjaria delivered the verdict in a suo motu case taken up after the ED summoned senior advocates Arvind Datar and Pratap Venugopal in connection with a money laundering probe.

Pronouncing the verdict, Justice Chandran said the Bench had sought to “harmonise the exemption to the rule” protecting advocates and issued fresh directions to safeguard the legal profession from undue pressure by probe agencies.

The Bench said probe agencies shall not issue summons to any advocat

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