Digest for 01 November, 2025
Supreme Court Curbs Police Powers to Summon Lawyers for Client-Related Probes
In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court has protected lawyer-client privilege by barring investigating agencies from summoning lawyers regarding advice given to clients. The court mandated that such summons can only be issued in exceptional cases, explicitly stated, and must be pre-approved in writing by a senior officer of at least Superintendent of Police rank. The verdict, which sets aside previous ED summons, also introduced safeguards for seizing digital devices from legal professionals, reinforcing fundamental rights to legal representation and fair trial.
Ford to Invest ₹3,250 Crore in Chennai Plant for New Engine Production
American automaker Ford has announced a ₹3,250 crore investment in its Chennai manufacturing plant to produce a new generation of engines for export. The company signed an MoU with the Tamil Nadu government for the project, which is expected to create over 600 direct jobs. Production is slated to begin in 2029 with a planned annual capacity of 2.35 lakh engines. This move marks a significant reinvestment in India's manufacturing sector after Ford ceased domestic vehicle sales in 2021.
Future Warfare is Increasingly Non-Kinetic and Non-Contact, Says Army Chief
Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi stated that modern warfare is increasingly becoming "non-kinetic and non-contact," driven by challenges like disinformation campaigns and cyber threats. Speaking at an event, he emphasized that national security now requires not just military strength but also intellectual, technological, and moral preparedness. He highlighted the need for a "whole-of-nation" approach, calling on India's youth to contribute to security through roles in technology, start-ups, and think tanks to counter multi-domain challenges.
NDA Promises 1 Crore Jobs and Free Education in Bihar Election Manifesto
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has released its manifesto for the Bihar Assembly elections, promising to create one crore jobs in the government and private sectors over the next five years. Other key pledges include free education from KG to post-graduation for the poor, metro services in four more cities, and making one crore women "Lakhpati Didis" through entrepreneurship schemes. The manifesto emphasizes the benefits of a "double engine government" for infrastructure development, including new expressways and industrial parks.
Centrist Leader Rob Jetten Claims Narrow Victory Over Far-Right in Dutch Election
Dutch centrist leader Rob Jetten has claimed victory in a knife-edge election, narrowly defeating far-right populist Geert Wilders. Jetten's D66 party holds a razor-thin lead, positioning him to become the Netherlands' youngest and first openly gay prime minister. The result is being watched closely across Europe as a potential check on the rise of populist movements. Jetten is now expected to begin complex negotiations to form a majority coalition government in the European Union's fifth-largest economy.