In a criminal petition filed before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, a Single-Judge Bench of Justice Sanjay Vashisth passed an interim order, expressing concern and botheration regarding the use of mobile phones during hearings.
The Court noted that the counsel was using his mobile phone to search for answers to a query. It was opined by the Court that the counsel should have collected the required information while he was preparing to argue the present matter.
It was stated that the Court was bothered by members of the Bar using mobile phones in front of the Court during a hearing. The Court further mentioned that sometimes proceedings have to be stalled while waiting for answers to the queries posed, as said answers can only be retrieved from mobile phones.
The Court also mentioned another case during the proceedings, in which a mobile phone was seized, and information regarding the same was sent to the Executive of the High Court Bar Association for circulation among its members.
Lastly, the Court directed that the present order also be supplied so that the Bar Association can inform its members to abstain from compelling the Court to pass harsh orders due to the repeated use of mobile phones during hearings to update themselves through Artificial Intelligence, online platforms, and Google.
The case is listed on 20.11.2025.
Appearances:
For Petitioner(s) – Adv Sandeep Verma
For Respondent – AAG Amish Sharma
