diff --git a/src/components/workNote/WorkNoteChat/WorkNoteChat.tsx b/src/components/workNote/WorkNoteChat/WorkNoteChat.tsx
index dc81250..7f177de 100644
--- a/src/components/workNote/WorkNoteChat/WorkNoteChat.tsx
+++ b/src/components/workNote/WorkNoteChat/WorkNoteChat.tsx
@@ -1587,12 +1587,13 @@ export function WorkNoteChat({ requestId, messages: externalMessages, onSend, sk
                 })()}
 
                 <Textarea
-                  placeholder="Type your message... Use @username to mention someone"
+                  placeholder={effectiveIsSpectator ? "Spectators cannot send messages" : "Type your message... Use @username to mention someone"}
                   value={message}
                   onChange={(e) => setMessage(e.target.value)}
                   onKeyPress={handleKeyPress}
                   className="min-h-[50px] sm:min-h-[60px] resize-none border-gray-200 focus:ring-blue-500 focus:border-blue-500 w-full text-sm"
                   rows={2}
+                  disabled={effectiveIsSpectator}
                 />
 
                 {/* Emoji Picker Popup */}
@@ -1632,27 +1633,27 @@ export function WorkNoteChat({ requestId, messages: externalMessages, onSend, sk
                   <Button
                     variant="ghost"
                     size="sm"
-                    className="text-gray-500 h-8 w-8 p-0 hover:bg-blue-50 hover:text-blue-600 flex-shrink-0"
                     onClick={handleAttachmentClick}
-                    title="Attach file"
+                    disabled={effectiveIsSpectator}
+                    title={effectiveIsSpectator ? "Spectators cannot attach files" : "Attach file"}
                   >
                     <Paperclip className="h-4 w-4" />
                   </Button>
                   <Button
                     variant="ghost"
                     size="sm"
-                    className="text-gray-500 h-8 w-8 p-0 hover:bg-blue-50 hover:text-blue-600 flex-shrink-0"
                     onClick={() => setShowEmojiPicker(!showEmojiPicker)}
-                    title="Add emoji"
+                    disabled={effectiveIsSpectator}
+                    title={effectiveIsSpectator ? "Spectators cannot add emojis" : "Add emoji"}
                   >
                     <Smile className="h-4 w-4" />
                   </Button>
                   <Button
                     variant="ghost"
                     size="sm"
-                    className="text-gray-500 h-8 w-8 p-0 hover:bg-blue-50 hover:text-blue-600 flex-shrink-0"
                     onClick={() => setMessage(prev => prev + '@')}
-                    title="Mention someone"
+                    disabled={effectiveIsSpectator}
+                    title={effectiveIsSpectator ? "Spectators cannot mention users" : "Mention someone"}
                   >
                     <AtSign className="h-4 w-4" />
                   </Button>
@@ -1665,9 +1666,10 @@ export function WorkNoteChat({ requestId, messages: externalMessages, onSend, sk
                   </span>
                   <Button
                     onClick={handleSendMessage}
-                    disabled={!message.trim() && selectedFiles.length === 0}
+                    disabled={(!message.trim() && selectedFiles.length === 0) || effectiveIsSpectator}
                     className="bg-blue-600 hover:bg-blue-700 h-8 sm:h-9 px-3 sm:px-4 disabled:opacity-50 disabled:cursor-not-allowed flex-shrink-0"
                     size="sm"
+                    title={effectiveIsSpectator ? "Spectators cannot send messages" : "Send"}
                   >
                     <Send className="h-4 w-4 sm:mr-2" />
                     <span className="hidden sm:inline">Send</span>
diff --git a/src/custom/pages/RequestDetail.tsx b/src/custom/pages/RequestDetail.tsx
index a0c56fb..45a45e5 100644
--- a/src/custom/pages/RequestDetail.tsx
+++ b/src/custom/pages/RequestDetail.tsx
@@ -588,6 +588,7 @@ function CustomRequestDetailInner({ requestId: propRequestId, onBack, dynamicReq
                     triggerFileInput={triggerFileInput}
                     setPreviewDocument={setPreviewDocument}
                     downloadDocument={downloadDocument}
+                    isSpectator={isSpectator}
                   />
                 </TabsContent>
 
diff --git a/src/dealer-claim/components/request-detail/IOTab.tsx b/src/dealer-claim/components/request-detail/IOTab.tsx
index 92e734b..21330e0 100644
--- a/src/dealer-claim/components/request-detail/IOTab.tsx
+++ b/src/dealer-claim/components/request-detail/IOTab.tsx
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ interface IOTabProps {
   request: any;
   apiRequest?: any;
   onRefresh?: () => void;
+  isSpectator?: boolean;
 }
 
 interface IOBlockedDetails {
@@ -33,7 +34,7 @@ interface IOBlockedDetails {
   status: 'blocked' | 'released' | 'failed' | 'pending';
 }
 
-export function IOTab({ request, apiRequest, onRefresh }: IOTabProps) {
+export function IOTab({ request, apiRequest, onRefresh, isSpectator = false }: IOTabProps) {
   const { user } = useAuth();
   const requestId = apiRequest?.requestId || request?.requestId;
 
@@ -70,7 +71,11 @@ export function IOTab({ request, apiRequest, onRefresh }: IOTabProps) {
   const budgetTracking = apiRequest?.budgetTracking || request?.budgetTracking || {};
   const budgetStatus = budgetTracking?.budgetStatus || budgetTracking?.budget_status || '';
   const internalOrdersList = apiRequest?.internalOrders || apiRequest?.internal_orders || request?.internalOrders || [];
-  const isAdditionalBlockingNeeded = budgetStatus === 'PROPOSED' && internalOrdersList.length > 0;
+  const totalBlocked = useMemo(() => {
+    return internalOrdersList.reduce((sum: number, io: any) => sum + Number(io.ioBlockedAmount || io.io_blocked_amount || 0), 0);
+  }, [internalOrdersList]);
+  
+  const isAdditionalBlockingNeeded = budgetStatus === 'PROPOSED' && internalOrdersList.length > 0 && (estimatedBudget - totalBlocked) > 0.01;
 
   const [ioNumber, setIoNumber] = useState('');
   const [fetchingAmount, setFetchingAmount] = useState(false);
@@ -331,12 +336,12 @@ export function IOTab({ request, apiRequest, onRefresh }: IOTabProps) {
                 placeholder="Enter IO number (e.g., IO-2024-12345)"
                 value={ioNumber}
                 onChange={(e) => setIoNumber(e.target.value)}
-                disabled={fetchingAmount || (blockedIOs.length > 0 && !isAdditionalBlockingNeeded)}
+                disabled={fetchingAmount || (blockedIOs.length > 0 && !isAdditionalBlockingNeeded) || isSpectator}
                 className="flex-1"
               />
               <Button
                 onClick={handleFetchAmount}
-                disabled={!ioNumber.trim() || fetchingAmount || (blockedIOs.length > 0 && !isAdditionalBlockingNeeded)}
+                disabled={!ioNumber.trim() || fetchingAmount || (blockedIOs.length > 0 && !isAdditionalBlockingNeeded) || isSpectator}
                 className="bg-[#2d4a3e] hover:bg-[#1f3329]"
               >
                 <Download className="w-4 h-4 mr-2" />
@@ -385,8 +390,16 @@ export function IOTab({ request, apiRequest, onRefresh }: IOTabProps) {
                     min="0"
                     step="0.01"
                     value={amountToBlock}
-                    onChange={(e) => setAmountToBlock(e.target.value)}
+                    onChange={(e) => {
+                      const val = e.target.value;
+                      if (parseFloat(val) < 0) {
+                        toast.error('Amount cannot be negative');
+                        return;
+                      }
+                      setAmountToBlock(val);
+                    }}
                     className="pl-8"
+                    disabled={isSpectator}
                   />
                 </div>
                 {estimatedBudget > 0 && (
@@ -406,7 +419,8 @@ export function IOTab({ request, apiRequest, onRefresh }: IOTabProps) {
                   !amountToBlock ||
                   parseFloat(amountToBlock) <= 0 ||
                   parseFloat(amountToBlock) > fetchedAmount ||
-                  (estimatedBudget > 0 && Math.abs((blockedIOs.reduce((s, i) => s + i.blockedAmount, 0) + parseFloat(amountToBlock)) - estimatedBudget) > 0.01)
+                  (estimatedBudget > 0 && Math.abs((blockedIOs.reduce((s, i) => s + i.blockedAmount, 0) + parseFloat(amountToBlock)) - estimatedBudget) > 0.01) ||
+                  isSpectator
                 }
                 className="w-full bg-[#2d4a3e] hover:bg-[#1f3329]"
               >
diff --git a/src/dealer-claim/components/request-detail/WorkflowTab.tsx b/src/dealer-claim/components/request-detail/WorkflowTab.tsx
index 92e8a89..4fd57e3 100644
--- a/src/dealer-claim/components/request-detail/WorkflowTab.tsx
+++ b/src/dealer-claim/components/request-detail/WorkflowTab.tsx
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ interface DealerClaimWorkflowTabProps {
     maxFileSizeMB: number;
     allowedFileTypes: string[];
   };
+  isSpectator?: boolean;
 }
 
 interface WorkflowStep {
@@ -178,7 +179,8 @@ export function DealerClaimWorkflowTab({
   isInitiator,
   onSkipApprover: _onSkipApprover,
   onRefresh,
-  documentPolicy
+  documentPolicy,
+  isSpectator = false
 }: DealerClaimWorkflowTabProps) {
   const [showProposalModal, setShowProposalModal] = useState(false);
   const [showApprovalModal, setShowApprovalModal] = useState(false);
@@ -2226,8 +2228,8 @@ export function DealerClaimWorkflowTab({
                           (stepLevel?.levelName && stepLevel.levelName.toLowerCase().includes('dealer'));
                         const isUserAuthorized = isUserApproverForThisStep || (isDealerStep && isDealer);
 
-                        // Step must be active AND user must be authorized
-                        return isActive && isUserAuthorized;
+                        // Step must be active AND user must be authorized AND NOT a spectator
+                        return isActive && isUserAuthorized && !isSpectator;
                       })() && (
                           <div className="mt-4 flex gap-2">
                             {/* Step 1: Submit Proposal Button - Only for dealer or step 1 approver */}
diff --git a/src/dealer-claim/components/request-detail/modals/DealerCompletionDocumentsModal.tsx b/src/dealer-claim/components/request-detail/modals/DealerCompletionDocumentsModal.tsx
index 88a8264..6d9a2bc 100644
--- a/src/dealer-claim/components/request-detail/modals/DealerCompletionDocumentsModal.tsx
+++ b/src/dealer-claim/components/request-detail/modals/DealerCompletionDocumentsModal.tsx
@@ -273,8 +273,14 @@ export function DealerCompletionDocumentsModal({
         if (item.id === id) {
           let updatedItem = { ...item, [field]: value };
 
-          // Re-calculate GST if relevant fields change
           if (['amount', 'gstRate', 'cgstRate', 'sgstRate', 'utgstRate', 'igstRate', 'quantity'].includes(field)) {
+            // Negative amount validation
+            const numValue = parseFloat(value);
+            if (!isNaN(numValue) && numValue < 0) {
+              toast.error('Value cannot be negative');
+              return item;
+            }
+
             const amount = field === 'amount' ? parseFloat(value) || 0 : item.amount;
             const quantity = field === 'quantity' ? parseInt(value) || 1 : item.quantity;
 
@@ -523,6 +529,13 @@ export function DealerCompletionDocumentsModal({
       return;
     }
 
+    // Check for negative amounts
+    const hasNegativeAmounts = expenseItems.some(item => item.amount < 0 || item.quantity < 1);
+    if (hasNegativeAmounts) {
+      toast.error('Please ensure all amounts are non-negative and quantity is at least 1');
+      return;
+    }
+
     // Filter valid expense items
     const validExpenses = expenseItems.filter(
       (item) => item.description.trim() !== '' && item.amount > 0
diff --git a/src/dealer-claim/components/request-detail/modals/DealerProposalSubmissionModal.tsx b/src/dealer-claim/components/request-detail/modals/DealerProposalSubmissionModal.tsx
index 8530d9d..78501a1 100644
--- a/src/dealer-claim/components/request-detail/modals/DealerProposalSubmissionModal.tsx
+++ b/src/dealer-claim/components/request-detail/modals/DealerProposalSubmissionModal.tsx
@@ -437,8 +437,14 @@ export function DealerProposalSubmissionModal({
         if (item.id === id) {
           let updatedItem = { ...item, [field]: value };
 
-          // Re-calculate GST if relevant fields change
           if (['amount', 'gstRate', 'cgstRate', 'sgstRate', 'utgstRate', 'igstRate'].includes(field)) {
+            // Negative amount validation
+            const numValue = parseFloat(value);
+            if (!isNaN(numValue) && numValue < 0) {
+              toast.error('Value cannot be negative');
+              return item;
+            }
+
             const amount = field === 'amount' ? parseFloat(value) || 0 : item.amount;
             const quantity = 1; // Quantity is now fixed to 1
 
@@ -524,6 +530,18 @@ export function DealerProposalSubmissionModal({
       return;
     }
 
+    // Check for negative amounts or invalid days
+    const hasNegativeAmounts = costItems.some(item => item.amount < 0);
+    if (hasNegativeAmounts) {
+      toast.error('Please ensure all amounts are non-negative');
+      return;
+    }
+
+    if (timelineMode === 'days' && (parseInt(numberOfDays) <= 0 || isNaN(parseInt(numberOfDays)))) {
+      toast.error('Please enter a valid number of days greater than 0');
+      return;
+    }
+
     // Calculate final completion date if using days mode
     let finalCompletionDate: string = expectedCompletionDate || '';
     if (timelineMode === 'days' && numberOfDays) {
diff --git a/src/dealer-claim/pages/RequestDetail.tsx b/src/dealer-claim/pages/RequestDetail.tsx
index d0e99e1..9bbadca 100644
--- a/src/dealer-claim/pages/RequestDetail.tsx
+++ b/src/dealer-claim/pages/RequestDetail.tsx
@@ -153,14 +153,22 @@ function DealerClaimRequestDetailInner({ requestId: propRequestId, onBack, dynam
 
   // Determine if user is department lead (find dynamically by levelName, not hardcoded step number)
   const currentUserId = (user as any)?.userId || '';
+  const currentUserEmail = (user as any)?.email?.toLowerCase();
+
+  const isDepartmentLead = (request?.approvalFlow || []).some((level: any) =>
+    level.role === 'Department Lead Approval' &&
+    level.approverEmail?.toLowerCase() === currentUserEmail
+  );
 
   // IO tab visibility for dealer claims
-  // Restricted: Hide from Dealers, show for internal roles (Initiator, Dept Lead, Finance, Admin)
+  // Restricted: Hide from Dealers, show only for Initiator and Department Lead
   const isDealer = (user as any)?.jobTitle === 'Dealer' || (user as any)?.designation === 'Dealer';
   const isClaimManagement = request?.workflowType === 'CLAIM_MANAGEMENT' ||
     apiRequest?.workflowType === 'CLAIM_MANAGEMENT' ||
     request?.templateType === 'claim-management';
-  const showIOTab = isClaimManagement && !isDealer;
+
+  // Requirement: IO tab visible only for Initiator and Department Lead Approver
+  const showIOTab = isClaimManagement && !isDealer && (isInitiator || isDepartmentLead);
 
   const {
     mergedMessages,
@@ -616,6 +624,7 @@ function DealerClaimRequestDetailInner({ requestId: propRequestId, onBack, dynam
                     request={request}
                     user={user}
                     isInitiator={isInitiator}
+                    isSpectator={isSpectator}
                     onSkipApprover={(data) => {
                       if (!data.levelId) {
                         alert('Level ID not available');
@@ -635,6 +644,7 @@ function DealerClaimRequestDetailInner({ requestId: propRequestId, onBack, dynam
                       request={request}
                       apiRequest={apiRequest}
                       onRefresh={refreshDetails}
+                      isSpectator={isSpectator}
                     />
                   </TabsContent>
                 )}
@@ -648,6 +658,7 @@ function DealerClaimRequestDetailInner({ requestId: propRequestId, onBack, dynam
                     triggerFileInput={triggerFileInput}
                     setPreviewDocument={setPreviewDocument}
                     downloadDocument={downloadDocument}
+                    isSpectator={isSpectator}
                   />
                 </TabsContent>
 
diff --git a/src/pages/RequestDetail/components/tabs/DocumentsTab.tsx b/src/pages/RequestDetail/components/tabs/DocumentsTab.tsx
index c12c9fd..c9231f3 100644
--- a/src/pages/RequestDetail/components/tabs/DocumentsTab.tsx
+++ b/src/pages/RequestDetail/components/tabs/DocumentsTab.tsx
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ interface DocumentsTabProps {
   triggerFileInput: () => void;
   setPreviewDocument: (doc: any) => void;
   downloadDocument: (documentId: string) => Promise<void>;
+  isSpectator?: boolean;
 }
 
 export function DocumentsTab({
@@ -25,6 +26,7 @@ export function DocumentsTab({
   triggerFileInput,
   setPreviewDocument,
   downloadDocument,
+  isSpectator = false,
 }: DocumentsTabProps) {
   const isForm16 = (request?.templateType || request?.template_type || '').toString().toUpperCase() === 'FORM_16';
 
@@ -105,7 +107,7 @@ export function DocumentsTab({
               <Button
                 size="sm"
                 onClick={triggerFileInput}
-                disabled={uploadingDocument || request.status === 'closed'}
+                disabled={uploadingDocument || request.status === 'closed' || isSpectator}
                 className="gap-1 sm:gap-2 h-8 sm:h-9 text-xs sm:text-sm shrink-0"
                 data-testid="upload-document-btn"
               >