Advocate presence during customs interrogation allowed within visible range but beyond hearing range, with cooperation required.

During interrogation by customs authorities, the Court allowed the petitioners' advocate to remain present within visible range but beyond hearing range. That arrangement balanced the petitioners' request for legal presence with the interrogation process, while requiring the petitioners to cooperate with the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and attend whenever called for questioning. The petitioners were therefore entitled to advocate presence on the specified terms during interrogation.

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Issues: Whether, in the petitioners' interrogation by customs authorities, the advocate could be permitted to remain present at a visible distance but beyond hearing range.

Analysis: The Court accepted the request for the advocate's presence during interrogation, subject to the advocate being seated at a distance within visible range and beyond hearing range. The Court also recorded that the petitioner must cooperate with the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and remain present whenever called for interrogation.

Conclusion: The petitioners were entitled to have their advocate present during interrogation in the manner directed by the Court, namely within visible range but beyond hearing range.

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