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Synopsis

The Delhi High Court recently inquired whether the Delhi Police could utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) software to locate missing persons. This query arose from a petition filed under Article 226 by a son who sought the production of his elderly father, who has been missing since February 17, 2023.

Although the necessary procedural formalities were completed, including uploading the missing person’s photographs on the ZIPNET portal, the petitioner’s father remained untraceable.

The court noted that “a status report dated 17th February, 2025 has been handed over in Court, which reveals that there has been no trace of the Petitioner’s father despite the fact that requisite procedures have been followed and the photographs have also been uploaded on zipnet”. 

On February 17, 2025, the authorities submitted a status report confirming that their efforts had not yielded any results. Acknowledging the matter, the court directed the State to file a short affidavit clarifying whether the Delhi Police had employed any AI software or could do so to locate missing persons. The court specifically aimed to ascertain whether such technology was available to track individuals who might have gone missing due to unstable medical conditions.

In response, Standing Counsel Sanjay Lao informed the court that the Crime Branch generally had access to AI-based software. Consequently, the court instructed the Crime Branch to attempt to trace the petitioner’s father and submit a further status report on the progress of the investigation.

The case was then scheduled for its next hearing on March 18, 2025.

For Petitioner: Advocates Ahsan Sanjar, Kamlesh Kumar Mishra, Nitin Kumar Natak, Renu and Arpita
For Respondent: Standing Counsel Sanjay Lao with Advocates Priyam Agarwal and Abhinav Kr. Arya
Case Title: Dil Khush Bairwa v Govt Of NCT (W.P.(CRL) 547/2025)