GST officials cannot access lawyer’s computer without his presence or consent: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court has barred GST officials from accessing or seizing a lawyer’s computer device without his presence or consent, warning that such action could breach confidentiality and attorney–client privilege.

The order came on a plea by advocate Puneet Batra, who alleged that officials seized and accessed his CPU during a search in connection with alleged GST evasion by his client.

A Bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Shail Jain directed that the CPU be examined only under court-mandated safeguards, with cloned copies shared with the lawyer.

No coercive steps will be taken pending the next hearing listed on October 30. 

[Puneet Batra v. Union of India & Ors.]