Supreme Court Issues Safeguards on Seizure of Lawyers’ Digital Devices

The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, issued comprehensive guidelines restricting police and investigating agencies from seizing or coercively accessing lawyers’ digital devices.

The Bench, also comprising Justices K. Vinod Chandran and N.V. Anjaria, held that such devices, containing sensitive client information, may only be produced before the jurisdictional court under Section 94 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

The Court associated these protections with Section 132 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam and Article 20(3) of the Constitution.

Any access must occur in the presence of the lawyer, client, and a digital expert, ensuring the confidentiality of other clients remains intact.

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