Right To Be Forgotten: Karnataka High Court To Hear In February Pleas Seeking Masking/Deletion Of Names From Public Domain

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday (January 21) listed for next month a batch of petitions pertaining to 'Right To Be Forgotten'. 

Counsel appearing for certain petitioners sought de-tagging of their petitions from the batch matter, which was permitted by Justice BM Shyam Prasad. 

The court thereafter listed the batch matter as well as the de-tagged petitions on February 20. The court also extended the operation of the interim orders in these matters. 

Among various prayers, certain petitioners seek masking of their names from public domain insofar as the judicial proceedings are concerned. The pleas seek masking of the names of the individuals from online platforms as well as on third-party sites. 

Another petition seeks a direction to various News outlets to delete/remove the articles published on their platform which are stated to be defamatory, offensive or disparaging against the petitioner in respect of a case being probed by the ACB.

One other plea seeks a direction to restrain the media outlets from reproducing, telecasting, broadcasting, publishing the content under challenge pertaining to an ED case as well as a case registered by the Lokayuktha police involving the petitioner therein, which they state is in violation of their right to privacy under Article 21 of the Constitution. 

Notably the high court had in 2022 directed 17 media outlets to temporarily block articles, videos and comments displaying names of two individuals in connection with a criminal case registered against them under the Child Labour laws and Juvenile Justice Act for which they were acquitted, citing Supreme Court's decision in K.S.Puttaswamy Vs. Union of India.