Right to Privacy — Landmark Judgments

Landmark Judgments

M.P. Sharma v. Satish Chandra

1954

This was one of the earliest cases where the Supreme Court considered the concept of privacy in the context of search and seizure. The Court held that the power of search and…

Kharak Singh v. State of U.P.

1962

This case challenged police surveillance rules, including domiciliary visits. While the majority denied an explicit fundamental right to privacy, it held that domiciliary visits…

Govind v. State of M.P.

1975

The Supreme Court, while upholding police surveillance regulations, acknowledged a limited right to privacy as a facet of Article 21. It stated that this right was not absolute…

K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India

2017

This is the most significant judgment on privacy in India. A nine-judge bench unanimously declared the Right to Privacy as a fundamental right, intrinsic to Article 21 and flowing…

Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) and Anr. v. Union of India and Ors. (Aadhaar Judgment)

2018

Following the 2017 privacy judgment, a five-judge bench examined the constitutional validity of the Aadhaar Act. It upheld the Act's validity but struck down certain provisions,…

Indian Young Lawyers Association v. State of Kerala (Sabarimala Temple Entry Case)

2018

While primarily about religious freedom and gender equality, this case touched upon decisional autonomy and bodily privacy. The majority judgment, allowing women of all ages to…

Patanjali Ayurved Ltd. v. Union of India

2020

This case, though not a Supreme Court ruling, highlights the ongoing legal challenges and the application of privacy principles in the context of health data. It involved a…

Foundation for Media Professionals v. Union Territory of J&K

2020

This case dealt with internet shutdowns in Jammu & Kashmir. While primarily focused on freedom of speech and trade, the judgment implicitly touched upon communicational privacy by…