The Supreme Court on Friday (October 31) restrained investigating officers from issuing summons to lawyers advising the accused.

The top court had taken suo moto cognizance of the ED summons issued to lawyers issuing opinions and advice to those facing investigation.

The apex court has cautioned investigation officers from breaching fundamental rights and statutory norms.

The court said digital devices can be seized from lawyers only before a jurisdictional court. Digital devices of lawyers can be opened only in their presence and parties after objections are overruled, it added.

The court noted that a summons can be issued only in exceptional cases. It noted that even in the case of an exception, a summons has to be authorised by an officer of the rank of Superintendent of Police.

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