The Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) has strongly condemned the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) reported attempt to summon Senior Advocate Arvind Datar in connection with his privileged communications with a client.
In a press release issued today, DHCBA President N. Hariharan, Sr. Advocate, expressed deep concern over what he described as a serious breach of legal ethics and constitutional protections. The association stated that the ED’s move to issue summons to a senior member of the bar in relation to confidential lawyer-client interactions is “an attack on the independence of the legal profession.”
The DHCBA emphasized that such actions undermine the right of individuals to secure legal representation of their choice and jeopardize the fundamental right to a fair trial. “Such attempts not only undermine the independence of the profession but also seriously impinge [on] the constitutional rights of being defended by a lawyer of one’s choice and a fair trial,” the press note read.
Legal experts have echoed similar sentiments, warning that interference with privileged communication could set a dangerous precedent and weaken the foundational principles of India’s adversarial legal system.
The DHCBA has called for immediate corrective action and urged all investigative agencies to uphold the sanctity of legal privilege and the rule of law.
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