India’s government ordered internet providers to block 129 illegal betting websites this year based on two state High Court orders that Reuters found to be fake, findings that have triggered at least one police investigation.

The forgeries are the latest indication that fake orders are slipping through India’s official content removal mechanism, considered one of the world’s strictest. This could affect the online presence of any organisation operating in the country.

Court precedents generated using artificial intelligence have raised concerns among judges worldwide. India’s Supreme Court in July set aside a tribunal’s orders that relied on non-existent judgments, while a US judge recently disqualified lawyers over the use of fabricated legal citations.

India’s Department of Telecommunications issued two website-blocking directions on July 21 and September 2, both of which are available on its website as part of its routine uploads. Both directives were accompanied by emailed copies of purported court orders from the High Courts of western Rajasthan and northern Uttar Pradesh, directing the removal of dozens of websites.

A Reuters review found that neither court order appeared in the courts’ online registration records. After being approached by the news agency, the Rajasthan High Court’s registrar said in an email that the order bearing its name “appears to be fraudulent” and did not exist on its server. The court did not elaborate.

In Uttar Pradesh, the Allahabad High Court found that its order was fake and filed a police complaint on November 6, following Reuters’ findings, according to police case documents.

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