Supreme Court Takes Suo Motu Cognizance of Investigating Agencies Summoning Lawyers

The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of investigating agencies summoning lawyers, stating that such actions pose a serious threat to the independence of the legal profession and the administration of justice.

The development follows the Enforcement Directorate's controversial summons to Senior Advocates Arvind Datar and Pratap Venugopal, which were later withdrawn amid backlash.

The bench framed key constitutional questions and sought assistance from the Attorney General, Solicitor General, Bar Council of India, and others.

The Court cited a possible violation of Section 132 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, and referred the matter to the Chief Justice of India.