I learned this info from Prof. Scott Pryor, Professor of Law at University of Regent.
In Indian Supreme Court and courthouses in other courts, the procedure appears to be like following:
Litigants, Journalists and Clerks of Lawyers are required to surrender their cellphones upon entering any courthouse.
But lawyers are given concession. They can keep their cellphone with them but should keep them in silent mode.
But this procedure do disturb court proceedings in two way:
1) Now and then, some lawyer forgets to put his cellphone on silent mode. It rings at wrong time.
Lawyer is seen fumbling to switch it off quickly.
2) In silent mode cellphone, the lawyer receives an important call. He stands up. Rapidly goes outside courtroom. Attends call. Then he returns back in the court house.
But this movement does not go without notice of judge.
Momentarily he gets distracted from the case he may be hearing.
Haresh Raichura
1169
