Delhi High Court: Indian Kanoon Must De-index Right to Be Forgotten Judgments

• Indian Kanoon faces serious issues due to Delhi High Court's right to be forgotten judgment.
• The platform was directed to de-index and disable name-based search functionality for a batch of judgments and orders.
• Senior Advocate Arvind Datar appeared for Indian Kanoon, arguing that the decision would severely impact the platform's functionality.
• The case sets a precedent that may be cited in similar cases across India, highlighting the need for careful consideration of individual privacy rights and public access to information.

Datar said that the October date is very far away and the platform is facing serious trouble.

Indian Kanoon, a prominent online legal judgment database, has found itself facing serious issues due to the recent right to be forgotten judgment delivered by the Delhi High Court. The platform was directed to de-index and disable name-based search functionality for a batch of judgments and orders. This decision has left Indian Kanoon struggling to cope with the consequences.

The matter came up before a Division Bench of Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia, who were hearing a batch of appeals filed by Indian Kanoon against the right to be forgotten verdict delivered by a single-judge on May 29, 2026. Senior Advocate Arvind Datar appeared for the platform and made submissions before the Court.

The Delhi High Court's right to be forgotten judgment has set a precedent that may have far-reaching implications for online legal databases. The decision to de-index and disable name-based search functionality for a batch of judgments and orders raises questions about the balance between individual privacy rights and the public's right to access information. Indian Kanoon, as the only legal website against which this order has been passed, is facing unique challenges in complying with the Court's directive.

The platform's counsel, Senior Advocate Arvind Datar, pointed out that de-indexing judgments and disabling name-based search functionality would severely impact the platform's functionality. He argued that Indian Kanoon is not alone in having a full search facility, and that other legal websites also offer similar features.

The Delhi High Court's right to be forgotten judgment sets a precedent that may be cited in similar cases across India. Lawyers and compliance officers should take note of this development, as it has significant implications for online judgment databases and name-based search functionality. The case highlights the need for careful consideration of individual privacy rights and public access to information.

The platform's counsel, Senior Advocate Arvind Datar, urged the Court to consider taking up the matter on an earlier date, given that similar cases are coming up in other courts and this judgment is being cited as a precedent.

Lawyers and compliance officers should watch for the potential impact on online judgment databases and name-based search functionality, as this case sets a precedent that may be cited in similar cases across India.

Source: Original reporting via Indian Kanoon