Overview

• The Supreme Court upheld the Karnataka High Court’s March ruling by dismissing the ED’s appeal that challenged quashing of summons to CM Siddaramaiah’s wife and minister Byrathi Suresh in the MUDA land allotment case.
• Chief Justice B R Gavai sharply warned that the ED is being used for political battles and cautioned against weaponizing investigative powers in partisan disputes.
• The bench took suo motu cognizance of probe agencies summoning advocates for legal advice, highlighting that direct lawyer summons endanger attorney-client privilege.
• The court referenced the ED’s June 20 circular barring field officers from issuing lawyer summons without prior approval from the director, issued after widespread bar association condemnations.
• An amicus curiae will be appointed and further hearings scheduled to establish formal guidelines governing how agencies may question legal counsel.