Union Law Minister Arjun Meghwal emphasized the need for a digital detox while addressing AI’s impact on law at the fourth Madan Mohan Punchhi Memorial Lecture.
CHANDIGARH: Union Minister of Law and Justice, Arjun Meghwal, highlighting the growing necessity of a digital detox in an era dominated by artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced technologies. Addressing the audience at the fourth memorial lecture held in honor of former Chief Justice of India, late Madan Mohan Punchhi, at the Law Auditorium, Panjab University (PU), Chandigarh, on Saturday, Meghwal spoke about the profound impact of technology on human interactions and legal frameworks. The lecture, organized by the Competent Foundation, was centered around the theme:
“Tackling the challenges created by artificial intelligence through the existing legal framework.”
Technological Evolution and Its Societal Impact
During his address, Meghwal traced the evolution of industries, highlighting the transformation from Industry 1.0 to Industry 4.0. He elaborated on the rapid advancements in cloud computing, robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), and 3D printing, emphasizing how these technologies are reshaping economies and societies. However, he also expressed concerns over the increasing dependence on digital devices, particularly among younger generations, who he noted are prioritizing screen time over human interactions.
Connecting historical perspectives to modern-day technological challenges, Meghwal invoked references from The French Revolution, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, illustrating how constitutional values such as liberty, equality, and fraternity could guide the ethical and legal integration of AI into contemporary society.
Legal Challenges and AI Regulation
Justice Arun Palli of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, who was the guest of honor, shed light on the current legal mechanisms available to address AI-related challenges.
He emphasized
“the need to bridge potential gaps in existing legal frameworks to keep pace with the rapid expansion of AI-driven technologies”
Highlighting the principles of fairness, transparency, and accountability, he stressed the importance of ensuring that AI applications remain aligned with the legal and ethical standards of justice.
AI in the Judicial System: A Double-Edged Sword
Adding to the discourse, Shruti Bedi, Director of the University Institute of Legal Studies (UILS), addressed the potential benefits and risks of incorporating AI into the judicial system.
“She pointed out that India currently faces a staggering backlog of over 4.5 crore pending legal cases, and integrating AI-driven solutions could significantly improve judicial efficiency”
Citing global examples from China and Estonia, Bedi illustrated how AI-powered tools have streamlined legal proceedings in various jurisdictions. However, she cautioned against blind reliance on AI-based adjudication, warning that the technology could sometimes lead to the dissemination of inaccurate or misleading legal information, which might compromise judicial integrity.
The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into India’s judicial system is steadily expanding, promising enhanced efficiency in case management, legal research, and document analysis. While certain High Courts have taken proactive steps by incorporating AI-based tools like ChatGPT to aid legal proceedings, the acceptance and application of such technologies vary significantly across different judicial institutions.
A notable example of this trend is the Manipur High Court, which acknowledged its use of Google and ChatGPT 3.5 to assist in legal research while adjudicating a case. This reflects the growing, albeit cautious, reliance on AI tools in judicial decision-making, mirroring similar approaches observed globally. This move follows the pioneering initiative of the Punjab & Haryana High Court, which had embraced AI-powered legal research in the previous year.
Case Analysis: Md. Zakir Hussain v. The State of Manipur & Others
The case of Md. Zakir Hussain serves as a key example of AI’s application in Indian judiciary.
- Background: Zakir Hussain, a 36-year-old member of the Village Defence Force (VDF), was dismissed from service in January 2021 following the escape of a criminal while he was on duty.
- Legal Challenge: Hussain contested his dismissal before the Manipur High Court, where Justice A Guneshwar Sharma sought additional clarity on the procedural aspects of VDF’s operations.
- Use of ChatGPT: Due to ambiguities in the police affidavit, the court turned to ChatGPT for supplementary research. The AI tool provided insights into the VDF’s role as a community-based security force trained to counter local threats.
- Judgment: Citing procedural irregularities, the court revoked Hussain’s dismissal, emphasizing that the Manipur Home Department’s 2022 memorandum required due process before terminating personnel, a right Hussain had been denied.
This case illustrates how AI can serve as an auxiliary research tool in legal proceedings, offering additional context in cases involving complex institutional frameworks.
Varying Perspectives of Indian High Courts on AI in Judicial Processes
Punjab & Haryana High Court (March 2023)
- Case: Justice Anoop Chitkara used ChatGPT to aid in denying bail to Jaswinder Singh, who was accused of assault leading to death.
- AI’s Role: ChatGPT was consulted to gather jurisprudential perspectives on bail considerations in cases involving cruelty in assaults.
- Judgment: The court clarified that AI-generated responses were used only for broader legal context, not for determining the specific case outcome.
- Significance: This reflects a progressive yet controlled adoption of AI in legal research to supplement judicial reasoning.
Delhi High Court (August 2023)
- Case: Justice Pratibha M Singh ruled in favor of Christian Louboutin in a trademark infringement dispute against the brand Shutiq.
- AI’s Role: The legal team for Louboutin utilized ChatGPT to highlight the brand’s global reputation, particularly regarding its signature red-soled “spike shoe style”.
- Judgment: Justice Singh rejected ChatGPT’s input in the final legal determination, citing concerns over potential inaccuracies, fictional case laws, and AI-generated misinformation.
- Significance: This ruling underscores the Delhi High Court’s skepticism toward AI-based legal conclusions, reaffirming the primacy of human judicial reasoning over AI-generated content.
Global Precedents on AI in Judiciary
United States (2023)
- A Manhattan federal judge imposed a $5,000 fine on a lawyer who unknowingly submitted fictitious case references generated by ChatGPT in a personal injury lawsuit.
- Errors Included: AI-generated fake citations, such as Varghese vs China Southern Airlines and Shaboon vs Egypt Air, were mistakenly included in legal filings.
United Kingdom (2023)
- The UK Judiciary issued official guidelines restricting the use of generative AI in courts.
- Permitted Uses: Judges were allowed to use AI for summarizing texts, drafting emails, and preparing presentations.
- Restricted Uses: AI was prohibited from legal research and case analysis to avoid the risks of inaccuracy and bias.
These cases highlight the legal and ethical challenges associated with AI in judicial proceedings, leading to the cautious approach adopted by many jurisdictions.
Technology and AI in the Indian Judiciary
1. Virtual Hearings & E-Filing
- The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of virtual court proceedings, ensuring continuity of judicial functions through digital platforms.
2. SUVAS (Supreme Court Vidhik Anuvaad Software)
- This AI-powered translation tool facilitates the conversion of Supreme Court judgments into regional languages, significantly improving access to justice for non-English speakers.
3. SUPACE (Supreme Court Portal for Assistance in Court Efficiency)
- Designed to streamline case management, SUPACE enhances judicial workflow efficiency, reducing backlog and automating routine processes.
Potential and Scope of AI in India’s Judicial System
- Legal Research & Data Processing: AI can significantly enhance legal research capabilities by rapidly processing case laws and identifying relevant precedents.
- Judicial System Automation: AI-powered tools can optimize case management, reducing delays by automating procedural and administrative tasks.
- Language Translation & Accessibility: AI-based translation tools can help overcome linguistic barriers, making legal materials accessible to a diverse linguistic demographic.
- Predictive AI for Sentencing Trends: AI can analyze case trends and sentencing patterns, assisting judges in assessing sentencing consistency while ensuring fair and unbiased rulings.
The Need for a Balanced Approach
While technological advancements offer unparalleled efficiency, the speakers collectively advocated for a measured approach—one that fosters innovation while safeguarding human oversight and ethical considerations.
Meghwal’s emphasis on digital detox served as a reminder that, despite AI’s transformative potential, maintaining human connections and constitutional values remains crucial in navigating the AI-driven future.
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