Raipur | June , 2025

In a strong move to preserve the sanctity and discipline of judicial proceedings, the Chhattisgarh High Court has issued a directive prohibiting litigants, parties-in-person, and other non-advocate participants from carrying mobile phones or electronic gadgets inside courtrooms. This applies regardless of whether the devices are switched off.

 

The decision comes in the wake of growing concerns about disruptions, privacy breaches, and unauthorized recordings during ongoing court sessions.

 

 

According to the administrative notice issued by the Registrar General under the supervision of the Chief Justice, the following rules are now in immediate effect:

• Mobile phones, smartwatches, tablets, audio recorders, and similar electronic devices are completely banned inside courtrooms for litigants and non-advocate attendees.

• Any attempt to record, livestream, or capture audio/video from ongoing court proceedings will attract serious consequences under the Chhattisgarh High Court (Live Streaming of Proceedings) Rules, 2022.

• Lawyers have been asked to ensure that their clients and party representatives comply with the restrictions while entering the courtroom.

 

 

 

Sources within the court confirmed that the directive was issued after repeated incidents where litigants attempted to use phones during proceedings — some recorded sensitive exchanges, while others were seen causing interruptions mid-hearing.

 

Senior judicial officers viewed this as a breach of courtroom decorum and procedural confidentiality. The court emphasized that while technology plays a growing role in justice delivery, courtrooms are not to be turned into live broadcast zones by any party.