Bombay High Court permits lawsuit against Google over personality rights
The Bombay High Court has granted Sukhwinder Kaur, known as Radhe Maa, leave to sue Google and other entities regarding allegedly disparaging online content.
In an order dated October 9, Justice Abhay Ahuja permitted Sukhwinder Kaur to file a lawsuit under Clause XII of the Letters Patent, 1865. This procedural move allows the litigation to be heard in Mumbai, establishing the court's jurisdiction over the dispute involving Google LLC and various other respondents.
Kaur, a spiritual leader, alleges that online content has caused damage to her reputation and violated her personality rights. Her legal representatives argued that because she resides in Mumbai and conducts charitable work there, the court maintains authority over the case. Furthermore, the petition noted that local users access the content and that the platforms derive advertising revenue from the city.
The court's decision is limited to the question of venue and does not address the merits of the underlying claims. The actual allegations concerning the potential misuse of her personality rights remain to be adjudicated in subsequent proceedings.