Use of Artificial Intelligence in Crime Prediction: Legal & Constitutional Challenges in India
Dimple Nayak & Dr. Sunita Shrivastava
DOI:
Abstract
The rapid advancement of technology has transformed law enforcement and the administration of justice. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as an important tool in crime prevention through predictive policing, which uses algorithms to analyze data and identify possible criminal activities.
This research paper, titled “Use of Artificial Intelligence in Crime Prediction: Legal and Constitutional Challenges,” examines the relationship between AI technology and constitutional safeguards. While AI can improve efficiency and crime control, it also raises concerns regarding privacy, data protection, accountability, and algorithmic bias.
In India, the use of AI in crime prediction must comply with constitutional rights, particularly Article 14, Article 21, and the right to privacy recognized in Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) v. Union of India. The Constitution does not prohibit AI-based policing, but it requires such technologies to operate within the principles of legality, transparency, proportionality, and procedural safeguards.
This paper critically analyzes whether predictive policing aligns with constitutional values and human rights standards. It further examines the adequacy of existing legal frameworks in addressing challenges posed by AI-driven surveillance systems. The study concludes that India urgently needs a comprehensive legal framework to ensure the ethical, fair, and accountable use of AI in law enforcement while protecting democratic values and fundamental rights.