The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed judicial officers to refrain from using artificial intelligence (AI) tools for drafting judgments and conducting legal research. The move comes amid growing scrutiny over the role of AI in judicial processes and follows similar steps taken by other courts in India. Judicial officers have been asked not to rely on AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, or Meta AI while preparing judgments or carrying out legal analysis.

The High Court has communicated the direction to District and Sessions Judges in Punjab, Haryana, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh.

The court has also warned that any violation of these instructions will be taken seriously, indicating a strict enforcement approach.

In its clarification, the court has clarified that AI should be used to improve the speed and quality of justice delivery, but not as a substitute for judicial reasoning. This position aligns with a broader judicial view that technology can support efficiency but cannot replace human interpretation and decision-making.

Judicial authorities have raised concerns from time to time about the premature use of AI in adjudication without a proper regulatory framework. AI tools have been flagged for issues such as generating incorrect information, introducing bias, and mishandling sensitive data.

The Gujarat High Court policy further underscores that judges remain personally responsible for their decisions, and such responsibility cannot be delegated to AI systems.