ED Withdraws Summons to Senior Advocate Arvind Datar in Rs 250 Cr ESOP Case After SCAORA Condemns Action

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has withdrawn its summons to Senior Advocate Arvind Datar, issued in connection with its investigation into a ₹250 crore ESOP allocation to Rashmi Saluja of Care Health/Religare, following criticism from the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA). 

Datar had provided legal advice in support of the ESOP grant, prompting the ED’s summons. He reminded the agency that lawyers cannot be summoned for client matters and cannot disclose privileged legal advice. 

SCAORA emphasized that lawyers should not be targeted for representing clients and that such actions intimidate legal professionals, affecting their independence.

SCAORA condemned the summons as “unwarranted,” a “chilling message” and “investigative overreach” that threatens legal independence.