Byte-Sized Justice: Navigating the Impact of AI on Law Enforcement and Judicial Systems in India

Abstract

With over 1.3 billion people, India faces intricate challenges in addressing crime, exacerbated by a 23% police vacancy rate and evolving criminal methodologies, with cybercrimes surging by 24.4% in 2022. The backlog of over 50 million cases impedes justice delivery, leading to an overcrowded prison system. The case study explores how AI is reshaping law enforcement and judicial processes globally and in India. Despite potential, challenges to the use of AI in the justice delivery system abound. India lacks specific AI laws, posing concerns of transparency, preserving privacy, accountability and due process. The justice system's existing biases could also be perpetuated in AI decisions.

This case study explores how AI is reshaping law enforcement and criminal justice procedures globally and in India, focusing on the multitude of its applications along with the challenges it poses to effective justice delivery in the country. The case study also elaborates on the challenges arising from the lack of a legal framework in India to regulate the use of AI by public entities. Finally, the case study also explores the internationally recognised framework which outlines the ethical principles to assess the use of AI in law enforcement and judicial systems.