Archive · 29 Nov 2025
HC Criticizes Judge for Relying on App Pop-Up
A judge in Kurukshetra denied bail to a suspect in a drug case by relying on a pop-up notification from a law app instead of a real Supreme Court judgment.
The High Court found out and scolded the judge for not checking the actual judgment.
The High Court said judges should only use verified legal sources and ordered training for all judges in Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh to make sure they use online legal information correctly.
The High Court also asked the Chief Justice of India to consider taking action against the judge.
Additional Sessions Judge Hem Raj denied anticipatory bail to Ram Ji in a narcotics case on 11 June 2025, citing a pop-up notification from a law app.
Justice Sumeet Goel of the Punjab and Haryana High Court discovered the judge had not verified the Supreme Court judgment and issued a stern warning.
The High Court directed that judicial officers in Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh receive training on the responsible use of online legal information.
Justice Goel emphasized that judicial orders must be based on verified legal sources and not unverified digital material.
The High Court also directed the registrar general to place the matter before the Chief Justice of India for consideration of appropriate action against Judge Hem Raj.
- Who
- Additional Sessions Judge Hem Raj and Justice Sumeet Goel of the Punjab and Haryana High Court
- What
- The High Court criticized Judge Hem Raj for relying on a pop-up notification from a law website’s mobile app instead of a verified Supreme Court judgment in a bail case.
- When
- The initial incident occurred on 11 June 2025, and the High Court's interim order was issued on 21 November 2025.
- Where
- The incident took place in the Kurukshetra court, with the High Court's directive affecting Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh.
- Why
- The High Court emphasized the importance of verifying legal sources to ensure the integrity of judicial decisions.
- Date of Initial Incident
- 11 June 2025
- Judge Involved
- Additional Sessions Judge Hem Raj
- Case Type
- Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act
- Suspect's Name
- Ram Ji
- High Court's Directive
- Training for judicial officers on responsible use of online legal information
- Date of High Court's Interim Order
- 21 November 2025
- Affected Regions
- Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh