The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued a stern warning to advocates over the increasing use of mobile phones and artificial intelligence (AI) tools during court proceedings, cautioning that such conduct hampers the decorum and smooth functioning of hearings.
The bench of Justice Sanjay Vashisth observed that several advocates were relying on mobile devices to search for information or use AI-based tools in real time to answer court queries. The judge expressed displeasure that proceedings were being stalled as lawyers paused to look up details instead of being fully prepared in advance.
“This Court is concerned and bothered time and again by respective members of the Bar using mobile phones during the course of hearing, just in front of the Court. Even sometimes, proceedings are to be stalled, awaiting the answer,” Justice Vashisth remarked in his order.
The judge recalled that a similar incident had occurred earlier in Ravneet Singh Sandhu @ Manveer Singh v. UT of Chandigarh (CRM-M-50544-2025), heard on September 19, 2025, where a mobile phone was seized during proceedings. Following that episode, the information was shared with the High Court Bar Association to alert members against such practices.
Expressing concern over the recurrence of the issue, the Court directed that a copy of the latest order be sent to the President and Secretary of the High Court Bar Association. They have been asked to apprise members not to compel the Court to pass “any harsh order” due to the continued use of mobile phones or AI platforms during hearings.
“Bar members must not compel the Court to act harshly on account of repeated use of mobile phones during hearing to update themselves through artificial intelligence or online platforms,” the order emphasized.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on November 20, 2025.
Case Details
Case Title: RXXXXXX v. State of Haryana
Case No.: CRM-M-31392-2025
Date: September 30, 2025
Counsel For Petitioner: Sandeep Verma, Advocate
Counsel For Respondent: Amish Sharma, AAG, Haryana
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