The recent Karnataka High Court ruling that has recognised a woman’s right to be forgotten has received wide reporting and commentary, and understandably so. The ruling is the first Indian judicial pronouncement that has explicitly referred to the evolving ‘right to be forgotten’ to justify granting the applicant’s request, although in a largely unreasoned order.

The Court had heard through the woman’s father that the woman was concerned that if a previous court order bearing her name were to show up in an internet search, it would have repercussions on her reputation and her marriage. Recognising the right to be forgotten in the Indian context, the Court’s registry was directed to ensure that the woman’s name would not appear in any internet search on the public domain, relying on the new right to be forgotten.