New Delhi, July 31 -- In a significant judgment that could shape the law governing matrimonial disputes and electronic evidence, the Supreme Court on Friday called for a regulatory framework for private detective agencies in India while holding that a husband's plea alleging that his wife is living in adultery cannot invariably be deferred until the final adjudication of maintenance proceedings.

The apex court directed that a copy of its judgment be sent to the Secretary, Ministry of Law and Justice, and the Chairman of the Law Commission of India, asking them to examine the need for an appropriate legal framework to regulate private investigators, their methods of evidence collection and safeguards relating to privacy and electronic evi...