1. What is FollowUps?

FollowUps is a public-interest legal initiative created to assist individuals who continue to face online stigma, outdated allegations, or defamatory content even after being acquitted by a competent court in India.
We help with takedowns, de-indexing, legal opinions, and petition drafting.

2. Who can seek help from FollowUps?

nyone who has been:

  • Acquitted in a criminal case

  • Incorrectly shown online as an accused

  • Suffering due to old media reports

  • Facing harassment due to outdated internet content

  • Denied employment or opportunities due to past allegations

Parents, family members, and NGOs can also approach us on behalf of the affected individual.

3. What documents do I need to start the process?

You typically need:

  • Certified copy of your Acquittal Order

  • List of URLs of harmful content

  • Screenshots of articles/posts/videos

  • Your ID proof

  • Any proof of harm (optional) – such as job refusal or harassment

These documents help us prepare takedown notices and legal opinions.

4. Can I get old news articles removed after acquittal?

Yes, in many cases you can.
You may request:

  • Removal of the article

  • Correction/update to reflect the acquittal

  • Removal of sensational or derogatory headlines

  • Takedown from blogs or personal websites

Platforms act based on legal notices and their removal policies.

5. What is de-indexing?

De-indexing means removing specific URLs from search results for your name.
The content remains online but is harder to find.
This is useful when complete deletion is not possible, but privacy still needs protection.

6. Does FollowUps guarantee removal of online content?

No.
No advocate or platform can guarantee removal, because each case depends on:

  • Platform policies

  • Jurisdiction

  • User reports

  • Court orders (if required)

  • Nature of content

However, we ensure that all lawful remedies are followed properly and professionally.

7. How long does the takedown or de-indexing process take?

Typical timelines:

  • Media houses: 3 to 15 days

  • Blogs/Websites: 3 to 10 days

  • Google de-indexing: 7 to 30 days

  • Legal notices: Immediate dispatch

  • Court orders: Case-specific

Timelines may vary depending on cooperation levels.

8. Will my personal information be kept confidential?

Yes.
Confidentiality is one of our core principles.
Your documents, identity, URLs, and case details are never published or shared without your written consent.

9. Do you offer free (pro bono) assistance?

Yes.
We offer limited pro bono support to individuals who genuinely cannot afford legal services.
Eligibility depends on financial condition, seriousness of harm, and urgency.

10. Can I use your templates without hiring a lawyer?

Yes.
Our templates are simple and designed for public use.
However, for complex cases or repeated refusals, professional legal intervention is recommended.

11. Can I file a Right to Be Forgotten (RTBF) petition?

You may be eligible if:

  • You were acquitted

  • Your case is disposed

  • Content is outdated, inaccurate, or causing serious harm

  • Platforms have refused removal

RTBF petitions are generally filed before High Courts.

12. What if a platform refuses to take down content?

If a platform refuses, you may pursue:

  • De-indexing

  • Injunction suit

  • Writ petition

  • Privacy-based representation

  • Further legal escalation

FollowUps assists in preparing the required documents.

13. Can my name be removed from Google search results fully?

Complete removal is difficult.
However, through de-indexing requests, many URLs can be removed or suppressed for queries related to your name.

14. Do viral social media posts also qualify for removal?

Yes, we help with notices and reporting mechanisms for:

  • YouTube

  • Instagram

  • Facebook

  • X/Twitter

  • Reddit

  • WhatsApp groups (to an extent)

Platforms remove content if it violates policy or harms an acquitted person’s dignity.

15. How do I contact FollowUps?

You may contact us through:

Email: contact@samvidhansesamadhaan.com
Website: followups.samvidhansesamadhaan.com
Intake Form: Available on the Request Assistance page
Telegram: t.me/samvidhansesamadhan