A Judge of the High Court has taken strong exception to the practice of lawyers using mobile phones to search for information to answer court queries during hearings, observing that such actions stall proceedings and reflect a lack of prior preparation. The Court directed its order to be circulated amongst members of the Bar Association to caution against the practice, warning that it may be compelled to pass “harsh orders” if it continues.
The issue arose during the hearing of the case RXXXXXX v. State of Haryana (CRM-M-31392-2025) on September 30, 2025, before Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sanjay Vashisth.
Background of the Matter
In an order dated September 30, 2025, Justice Vashisth noted that during the hearing, a counsel used a mobile phone to search for information in response to a query from the Bench. The judge observed that this information “ought to have been collected by the learned counsel in advance to the hearing, while preparing the case for arguments.”
Court’s Analysis and Observations
Expressing disapproval of the growing trend, the Court stated, “This Court is concerned and bothered time and again by the respective members of the Bar using mobile phones during the course of hearing, just in front of the Court.”
The judgment highlighted the practical problems caused by this conduct, noting, “Even sometimes, proceedings are to be stalled, awaiting the answer, which would come only after retrieving information from such mobile phone.”
Justice Vashisth also referred to a precedent from a recent, similar incident. The order mentions that in the case of CRM-M-50544-2025, titled as, “Ravneet Singh Sandhu @ Manveer Singh v. UT of Chandigarh”, a mobile phone was seized on September 19, 2025. The Court noted that information regarding that incident was sent to the Executive of the High Court Bar Association for circulation.
The Court voiced its concern over the reliance on real-time digital searches over thorough preparation, cautioning lawyers against using “artificial intelligence/online platforms/google information” during hearings.
Decision of the Court
The Court did not pass any immediate punitive orders in the present case but chose to issue a stern warning. Justice Vashisth directed, “Let today’s order be also supplied, so that the President/Secretary of the Bar Association may apprise the worthy members not to compel the Court to pass any harsh order on account of repeated use of mobile phones during the course of hearing.”
The case itself was listed for further hearing on November 20, 2025.
