Supreme Court Stays Madras HC Order on 'Right to be Forgotten'

The Supreme Court has stayed a Madras High Court order directing a law portal to remove a judgment concerning the 'right to be forgotten'. The apex court will examine the issue and has issued notice to the respondent, while also clubbing it with another similar petition.

The Supreme Court halted the Madras High Court's directive for a legal portal to erase a judgment related to the 'right to be forgotten.' The apex court, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, announced it will scrutinize the matter and issued a notice to the concerned respondent, combining this case with another similar petition.

Observing the case, the apex court highlighted that once a judgment is delivered, it becomes a public record, making any directive to remove it profoundly impactful. The court questioned the High Court's authority to instruct a legal portal to delete a judgment. This petition was filed by Ikanoon Software Development Pvt Ltd, represented by advocates Apar Gupta and Abiha Zaidi, challenging the earlier High Court ruling.

The conflict began with the Madras High Court's April 30, 2014, order to delete an acquittal judgment in a rape case from the portal. The High Court had overlooked established laws regarding the 'right to be forgotten,' the petitioner argued. Ikanoon also cited logistical challenges in attending multiple court proceedings, stressing the necessity for a uniform judicial stance on public records and privacy rights.