IMPHAL: The Manipur high court, recently, disclosed its use of the artificial intelligence (AI) tool ChatGPT for research in a service-related case.

Justice A Guneshwar Sharma of the Manipur high court used ChatGPT to aid in overturning the dismissal of a village defence force (VDF) personnel.

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The Manipur high court sought to understand the legal grounds under which such disengagements could be ordered.

When the government counsel failed to provide an adequate response, Justice Sharma turned to Google and ChatGPT for assistance.

“In these circumstances, the Manipur high court is compelled to do extra research through Google and ChatGPT 3.5 and collected some important information,” the judge recorded in his order.

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With the help of AI, the Court discovered that the VDF in Manipur was established to enhance local security and assist the police in maintaining law and order, particularly in rural areas.

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The VDF, initiated under the Manipur police, comprises volunteers from local communities trained and equipped to protect villages from threats such as insurgent activities and ethnic violence.

The Manipur high court noted that after undergoing successful training and passing required assessments, candidates are formally appointed as VDF members and assigned duties alongside the police force.

Further research led the court to an office memorandum (OM) issued by the Manipur home department, which outlined the service conditions for the VDF.

This OM mandated a show cause notice to be issued to VDF personnel to explain any charges against them.

The court ultimately ruled that the disengagement order violated principles of natural justice, ordering the immediate reinstatement of the petitioner.

Advocate Ajmal Hussain represented the petitioner, while Government Advocate Shyam Sharma appeared for the State.