LEGAL NEWS
Delhi High Court Recognises Right to Be Forgotten in Digital Judicial Records
• The Delhi High Court, in a landmark 144-page judgment delivered on 29 May 2026, affirmed the Right to Be Forgotten (RTBF) as a part of the fundamental right to privacy under Article 21.
• Justice Sachin Datta held that individuals have a legitimate interest in protecting their personal information from indefinite digital exposure.
• The ruling draws strength from the Supreme Court’s decision in the K.S. Puttaswamy (2017) case, which recognised privacy as a fundamental constitutional right.
• The Court directed search engines and legal databases to de-index name-based search results in eligible cases, while preserving public access to judgments through citations and case details.
• The framework covers persons who have been acquitted, discharged, or whose proceedings were quashed or settled, along with parties in private civil and matrimonial disputes.
• Individuals whose names appear only incidentally in court records may also seek protection under the new framework.
• While names and personal identifiers may be masked, the legal reasoning, findings, and conclusions of judgments will continue to remain publicly available.
• The decision, arising from 30+ petitions filed since 2016, balances individual privacy rights with judicial transparency, while unredacted records will remain preserved in official court archives.
Supreme Court Orders Removal of Forest Encroachments in Agasthyamalai Region
• The Supreme Court on 30 May 2026 directed the removal of encroachments and illegal constructions within the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve spread across Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
• The Agasthyamalai landscape, located in the southern Western Ghats, is a biodiversity-rich region comprising forests, wildlife habitats, and protected areas.
• The Court’s order targets unauthorised resorts, commercial ventures, government facilities, and other structures built inside notified forest lands.
• Protected areas such as the Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve and Meghamalai Wildlife Sanctuary were specifically highlighted in the directions.
• The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) reported over 4,600 encroachers occupying more than 5,000 hectares of forest land in the tiger reserve.
• The committee also identified 116 government and public utility structures that had been established without the required statutory approvals.
• State authorities have been instructed to prepare a time-bound eviction plan within one month and ensure removal or relocation of illegal structures within six months.
• The Court warned of strict action against responsible officials and stated that paramilitary forces may be deployed if required, with the matter scheduled for further review in September 2026.
APPOINTMENTS
Air Marshal Tarun Chaudhry Takes Charge of Central Air Command
• Air Marshal Tarun Chaudhry assumed command as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of the Central Air Command (CAC) on 1 June 2026.
• He succeeded Air Marshal Balakrishnan Manikantan, who retired on 31 May 2026 after completing four decades of distinguished service in the Indian Air Force.
• Headquartered at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, the Central Air Command is a key operational command of the IAF.
• The command plays a vital role in strengthening air operations and strategic readiness across central India and adjoining sectors.
• Commissioned into the fighter stream in December 1989, Air Marshal Chaudhry has served the IAF in diverse operational and leadership roles.
• Prior to this appointment, he was serving as the Senior Air Staff Officer at the Headquarters of the Southern Air Command.
• His professional training includes prestigious institutions such as the National Defence Academy (NDA), Defence Services Staff College, College of Air Warfare, and National Defence College.
• He has also represented India abroad as Defence Attaché in Sweden, with additional accreditation to Norway, Finland, and Denmark, reflecting his extensive diplomatic and strategic experience.
Vice Admiral Vineet McCarty Assumes Charge of Andaman & Nicobar Command
• Vice Admiral Vineet McCarty, AVSM, took over as the 20th Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman & Nicobar Command (ANC) on 1 June 2026 at Sri Vijaya Puram.
• He succeeded Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, who demitted office on 25 May 2026 and was appointed as the Vice Chief of the Naval Staff.
• The Andaman & Nicobar Command is India's first and only integrated tri-services command, bringing together the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard.
• Commissioned into the Indian Navy on 1 July 1989, Vice Admiral McCarty is a specialist in Gunnery and Missile Warfare.
• With over 36 years of distinguished service, he has held several important operational, training, and administrative appointments.
• His previous assignments include Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet, Commandant of the Indian Naval Academy, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Staff Requirements), and Controller Personnel Services.
• As Commander-in-Chief, he will supervise military operations, strategic infrastructure development, and force readiness across the island territories, including Great Nicobar Island.
• Located near vital international sea routes in the eastern Indian Ocean, the ANC plays a crucial role in maritime security, joint military operations, and strengthening India’s strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Malaysia Restricts Social Media Access for Children Under 16
• Malaysia started enforcing new regulations on 1 June 2026 that prohibit children below 16 years of age from creating social media accounts.
• The rule applies to major social media platforms with at least 8 million users in the country.
• Under the new framework, users under 16 are not permitted to register accounts on covered platforms.
• Social media companies must implement age-verification mechanisms using official documents such as identity cards or passports.
• Popular platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube fall within the scope of the regulation.
• Non-compliance with the rules may attract penalties of up to 10 million Malaysian ringgit (approximately US$2.5 million).
• The measure is part of Malaysia’s Online Safety Act 2025, which came into effect on 1 January 2026 to strengthen digital safety and platform accountability.
• The policy aims to protect minors from online threats such as cyberbullying, financial fraud, and child exploitation, while platforms will be granted a transition period to implement verification systems.
AWARDS
Indian Students Win Global Recognition for Eco-Friendly Microplastic Solution
• Indian teenagers Vivaan Chhawchharia, Ariana Agarwal, and Avyana Mehta became the first Global Winners of The Earth Prize 2026 on 1 June 2026.
• The trio developed “Plas-Stick”, an innovative biodegradable technology designed to remove microplastics from water.
• Made from tamarind seed waste, the solution converts agricultural waste into a useful water-treatment material.
• Plas-Stick causes tiny plastic particles to gather into clusters, making them easy to separate using a simple handheld magnet.
• The filtration process is low-cost, electricity-free, and user-friendly, making it suitable for rural and underserved areas.
• The project was developed with technical guidance from experts at IIT Guwahati, enhancing its scientific credibility.
• As Asia Regional Winners, the team received a grant of US$12,500 to support further development and outreach.
• Through workshops and demonstrations, the initiative has already reached 8,000+ students and teachers, with a target of 35,000–40,000 participants by the end of 2026.
