Kerala High Court Flags AI-Generated Petitions in Cyber Fraud Cases, Orders Mandatory SHO Involvement
Court warns against poorly drafted AI-based writs in defreezing bank account disputes
Ruling strengthens safeguards in cyber fraud litigation and ensures police accountability
By Our Legal Reporter
New Delhi: December 15, 2025:
In a significant development, the Kerala High Court has expressed concern over the increasing number of AI-generated petitions being filed in cases involving cyber fraud and defreezing of bank accounts. The Court noted that many petitions were poorly drafted, lacked essential details, and appeared to be prepared using artificial intelligence tools without proper legal research.
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To address this issue, the Court directed that the local Station House Officer (SHO) must be impleaded as a party in all writ petitions seeking defreezing of accounts. This move is expected to strengthen verification, improve accountability, and reduce misuse of the judicial process.
Background of the Case
- The Court was hearing multiple petitions where individuals sought to defreeze bank accounts frozen due to suspected cyber fraud transactions.
- Judges observed that many petitions were AI-drafted or proxy writs, often failing to provide basic details such as the nature of transactions or the petitioner’s business.
- Lawyers representing these petitions struggled to answer queries, raising doubts about the authenticity of the pleadings.
- The Court flagged this trend as alarming, stressing that technology must not compromise legal standards.
Court’s Observations
The Kerala High Court made several key points:
- AI-generated petitions lack depth: Many writs were found to be generic, repetitive, and missing crucial facts.
- Mandatory SHO impleadment: To ensure proper verification, the Court ordered that the SHO of the petitioner’s local police station must be made a respondent in all defreezing petitions.
- Cyber fraud context: Since most cases involved disputed online transactions, police involvement was necessary to establish genuineness.
- Judicial integrity: Courts cannot allow technology-driven shortcuts to undermine the seriousness of legal pleadings.
Impact of the Ruling
1. On Petitioners
- Petitioners must now provide detailed information about their accounts and transactions.
- AI-generated or proxy petitions without proper research will face stricter scrutiny.
- Mandatory police involvement ensures that claims of innocence are verified.
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2. On Lawyers
- Lawyers must avoid over-reliance on AI tools and ensure petitions are legally sound and factually accurate.
- The ruling serves as a reminder that human expertise and accountability remain central to legal practice.
3. On Judiciary
- The Court’s directive strengthens safeguards in cyber fraud litigation.
- It sets a precedent for other High Courts to regulate AI use in legal pleadings.
- Judicial integrity is preserved by ensuring petitions are genuine and verifiable.
Expert Opinions
- Legal experts welcomed the ruling, saying it protects courts from being flooded with poorly drafted petitions.
- Cyber law specialists noted that mandatory SHO involvement will help verify disputed transactions more effectively.
- Policy analysts said the judgment highlights the need for guidelines on the use of AI in legal drafting.
Example Scenarios
Scenario 1: Innocent Account Holder
A small business owner’s account is frozen after receiving disputed funds. With the SHO impleaded, police can verify the legitimacy of the transactions before defreezing.
Scenario 2: Proxy Petition
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An intermediary files a generic AI-generated petition for multiple clients. The Court rejects it due to lack of details and absence of SHO involvement.
Scenario 3: Genuine Cyber Fraud Victim
A student’s account is frozen after being tricked into receiving fraudulent transfers. The SHO’s involvement ensures proper investigation before relief is granted.
Broader Context: AI in Legal Practice
The ruling comes amid growing debate on the role of AI in law. While AI tools can assist in drafting, courts emphasize that:
- Human oversight is essential.
- Legal pleadings must be fact specific.
- Accountability cannot be outsourced to machines.
Globally, similar concerns have been raised about AI-generated legal documents lacking accuracy and context.
Conclusion
The Kerala High Court’s directive on AI-generated petitions in cyber fraud cases is a landmark step in safeguarding judicial integrity. By mandating the impleadment of local SHOs, the Court ensures that defreezing of bank accounts is based on verified facts, not generic AI drafts.
These ruling balances the use of technology with the need for human accountability, setting a precedent for responsible AI use in India’s legal system.
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