Lawyers cannot directly communicate with investigating agencies unless they get permission from the court: Allahabad High Court

The Allahabad High Court said that no lawyer can directly interact with the investigating officer and other investigating agencies unless the court orders so. However, Justice Samit Gopal made this remark and granted bail to accused Padam Singhi, Joint Managing Director of SVOGL Oil Gas and Energy Limited, in the money laundering case.

 Padam Singhi, a resident of Ghaziabad, was booked by the Enforcement Directorate on 26 March 2021 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. The applicant has been in jail since February 7, 2024. The accused had applied to the High Court for bail. he was requested to file a reply in the bail case soon. On this, the court expressed strong objection to the conduct of the advocate and said that if the order to file the reply is not being followed, 

then the right remedy is to inform the bench. 

The court said, sending e-mails to remind the officials of the court's order and requesting them to comply with it is not in the range of duties of lawyers. In this regard, the court also referred to the Bar Council of India's Professional Conduct Rules for Advocates. The rules state that no lawyer shall communicate or interact with any party on the subject matter of the dispute in any manner, except through that lawyer. The High Court made the comment against the lawyers of the accused on the objection of the Enforcement Directorate lawyers.