HC asks cops on use of AI to trace missing persons

The Delhi High Court has asked the Delhi Police if they use Artificial Intelligence (AI) software in tracing missing persons.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Dil Khush Bairwa seeking the whereabouts of his father, who has been missing since February 17, 2023.

A Division Bench comprising Justice Prathiba M Singh and Justice Dharmesh Sharma was informed that despite procedural efforts and uploading the missing person’s details on ZIPNET, no progress had been made.

The court took note of the status report submitted by the Delhi Police and instructed the government to file a short affidavit detailing whether any AI-based tools are being used or can be deployed to locate such individuals, particularly those with unstable medical conditions in a February 17 order.

The standing counsel for the Delhi Government, Sanjay Lao, acknowledged that the Crime Branch possesses such AI technology. The court ordered the authorities to make an attempt using AI to trace the petitioner’s father and submit a further status report before the next hearing on March 18.