PANAJI
The Bombay High Court at Goa has quashed the summons issued to a lawyer who was summoned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to testify against his client in a matter being probed by the central agency.
The High Court, in its judgment, agreed with the petitioner’s case that issuing summons to an advocate to give a statement or provide evidence against his client would amount to a breach of the attorney’s privilege as guaranteed by the Indian constitution.
“The High Court quashed the summons issued to my client as it would be a breach of privilege,” Adv Kaif Noorani said.
Section 126 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (“Evidence Act”), prohibits attorneys (except in certain provided exceptional situations) from disclosing any information or document shared by a client during the former's employment.
