Punjab and Haryana High Court seeks ChatGPT’s response in a bail plea case Premium

As the usage of Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to grow globally, the Punjab and Haryana High Court in a first-of-its-kind attempt sought a response from ChatGPT — an artificial intelligence chatbot — to assess worldwide view on bail when the assault was laced with “cruelty”.

As the usage of Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to grow globally, the Punjab and Haryana High Court in a first-of-its-kind attempt sought a response from ChatGPT — an artificial intelligence chatbot — to assess worldwide view on bail when the assault was laced with “cruelty”.

The court, however, made it clear that the AI reference in the matter is only intended to present a broader picture on bail jurisprudence, where cruelty is a factor.

Justice Anoop Chitkara in the order made it abundantly clear that any reference to ChatGPT and any observation made is neither an expression of opinion on the merits of the case nor shall the trial court advert to these comments.

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The case pertained to the alleged murder of one Ramandeep Singh at Shimlapuri in Ludhiana district in June 2020, in which the petitioner (with a criminal past) is one of the accused, arrested by the police. The accused had approached the court for bail.

Justice Chitkara while dismissing the bail plea observed causing death itself is cruel but if the cruelty causes death, the tables turn and when the physical assault is done with an element of cruelty, the parameters of bail also change.

“...When the offence is heinous and the crime is brutal, cruelty becomes one of the factors in granting or refusing bail. The impact of individuals who act with cruelty is devastating not only for those on whom the direct harm and pain is inflicted but also on a systemic level. Cruel individuals contribute to sustain the greater deficiencies of society like gender, economic and social inequalities..”