<h1>Lawyer-client privilege restricts issuing summons to advocates; exceptions require Director approval in investigations.</h1> The ED issued a circular directing officers not to summon advocates in breach of lawyer-client privilege under Section 132 of the Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, and requiring prior approval of the Director for any exception under the proviso. Following summonses in a money laundering probe regarding ESOP issuance, one advocate's summons was withdrawn and another kept in abeyance; the agency said documentary requests related to corporate roles will be made by email.